SEVEN sturdy regulars and a lady helmsman from Hythe's Fountain Court Hotel won the village's fourth annual raft race – their third year in a row.

Each of the 500-strong laughing and cheering spectators that gathered on the village prom and pier to witness the spectacle got as wet as the enthusiastic raftsmen as the heavens opened on August 19, 1990.

Splashing around the pier on a motley assortment of 24 craft – constructed of brightly coloured bits and pieces more at home on the scrapyard than racing around Southampton Water – were members of local clubs, pubs, businesses and organisations.

All were out to have, and provide, fun while raising much-needed cash for the RNLI.

The first team to cross the line in the ladies race were the Gleneagles Racers from Gleneagles pub.

The Best Presented Raft award went to Hythe Police on board Flying Squad.