FROM the top of the church tower to shop windows, the creatures preparing for this year's duck race in Beccles are busy making themselves known all around the town.

FROM the top of the church tower to shop windows, the creatures preparing for this year's duck race in Beccles are busy making themselves known all around the town.

Twenty giant yellow ducks have been decorated by local schools, groups and businesses to form a duck art trail, which started in the town yesterday.

The animals, measuring about one metre high, have been placed all around the town, including one with a head for heights peering over the top of the tower at St Michael's Church.

The giant duck art trail will be in place around the town until October 3, when the sculptures will all be moved to Beccles Quay for the annual duck race on October 4.

Organiser Liz Goldspink said: “We managed to secure sponsorship for one duck to be decorated by each school. Other businesses wanted to get involved as well and soon we had 20 ducks, some of which have been decorated by professional artists.

“When the duck race started five years ago, it was a small event with little bath ducks in the river and by last year, it was huge with about 3,500 people down at the quay on the day.

“When we got together this spring to start planning this year's event, this idea came up and it has really taken off. They all look great.”

The giant fibreglass ducks, which have been specially made by 3D Creations in Gorleston, are the latest animal sculptures to take over an East Anglian town. Last summer, 53 elephants were dotted around Norwich and about 50 hippos formed a family fun trail in North Walsham in the spring.