THE CROWD was roaring as the dragon boat race returned to Taunton at the weekend.

The race was organised by Headway Somerset, a charity which supports people with head injuries, who were hoping to raise more than £10,000 with the event.

There were 13 teams for this year's competition with some, including a Taunton Deane Borough Council team, adopting fancy dress for their races.

Hillary Dicks, chief executive of Headway Somerset, said: "It is really really great. We have had a lot more going on this year and a lot more attending.

Somerset County Gazette:

"We were delighted to have Michael Eavis to come and open the event. It is out fifth year this year and it is busier and bigger than before.

"We have more general public here, and more teams. There are 13 teams this year.

"We hope to raise £10,000, we were just short of that last year.

"We had feedback last year that there weasn't a lot else going on, so we have got more things going on in between the races, like the bungee run, and it seems to have worked."

Somerset County Gazette:

Among the teams competing were Headway's own entry, main event sponsors Grubs Up, TDBC, Nuffield Health, regular competitors the Viridor Vikings, Broomhead and Saul, Clarke Wilmott, Foot Anstey Solicitors, and Peter Brett Associates.

Headway Somerset supports more than 100 individuals with brain injuries and their families at any one time.

It delivers, on average, 40,000 hours of support through its brain injury centres and community one-to-one services.

Somerset County Gazette: