THE theme was “what were you wearing when the ship went down?” - and as a result there were some weird and wonderful costumes sailing up the Odiham canal for the launch of the inaugural raft race on Sunday.

And seven intrepid teams took to the water to complete the mile-long course.

As onlookers crowded the banks, some strange craft could be seen sailing up the canal. Rafts were kept afloat with dozens of plastic bottles, a boat was made entirely of bottles, precarious bits of wood balanced on oil drums, and one craft was so full of a band of pirates that it was in danger of overturning.

Galleon Marine, which runs the local boatyard and which sponsored the race, called its raft Blues and Twos, with two police officers balancing on pallets fitted out with flashing lights.

Fortunately, apart from a few navigational and comical mishaps, all crews got their rafts safely over the finishing line to roars and cheers from the onlookers.

The winners were the Basingstoke Canal Society, in a catamaran-style raft, who were presented with their prize by Air Chief Marshall Sir Joe French.

Although there was a lot of activity on the water, there was also plenty to do on the bank which was filled with stalls run by local traders. And there was the chance to enjoy the wine, beer and French crepes on sale, as well as fun activities for children.

Deeming this first raft race “a fabulous success”, Galleon Marine owner Arthur McCaffrey said he and his wife Karen were happy to sponsor it “to raise vital funds for the Basingstoke Canal Society, who will put the £1,000 it raised to maintaining the canal and safeguarding its future”.

He also said that judging by the success of this first race, there would almost certainly be another next year.