WORLINGHAM-based toy company Hawkin's Bazaar have quadrupled their usual rubber duck orders in order to keep up with demand for this year's Beccles Duck Race at the end of September.

WORLINGHAM-based toy company Hawkin's Bazaar have quadrupled their usual rubber duck orders in order to keep up with demand for this year's Beccles Duck Race at the end of September.

The company, which supplies the official race ducks to the town's shops, has gone into overdrive in the past few weeks making sure that there will be enough of the little competitors to go around this year.

As well as the usual miniature ducks for individuals, the company has ordered in “giant” ducks for organisations wishing to enter a duck into the competition.

Gemma Morgan, Hawkin's Bazaar's head of purchasing, said: “The Beccles Duck Race is a fantastic event which not only raises a lot of money for local charities, but is also a great family day out. We were more than happy to source and supply the organisers with the finest racing giant ducks on the market.”

The entertainment on Sunday September 28 at Beccles Quay starts at 12noon, including music, dancing, barbecue food, licensed bars and the Water Lions Dog Rescue display team, and the race kicks off on Sunday at 3pm.

Event organiser Caroline Topping said: “We're anticipating another hugely successful day, there are already three thousand ducks taking part and everyone is welcome to purchase an official race duck and take part themselves from any of the supporting ducks in the town.”

Ducks for this year's race cost £2, with proceeds going to local schools, and are available from Beccles shops such as Kulture Shock, Tabers, Twyfords, Quayside Conservatories, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Bookthrift and Country Cards.