A TEAM from Chippenham Young Farmers Club took the honours for the second year in the raft race at this year’s Melksham Food & River Festival.

The senior team took the honours to once again take the £100 cash prize on offer.

Also competing in the annual Foxhangers race were the Rivermead Primary School Mermaids who finished second.

The Young Farmers Club’s junior team also took home a £100 prize as they were the only competitors in their category.

Local antiques expert and TV presenter Paul Martin, from Seend, once again presented the prizes to the winning teams.

Organiser Paul Lenaerts, a volunteer with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, said: “Although we only had three teams entered, the race was very competitive.”

The winning Chippenham YFC senior team were Henry Rawlings (captain), Thomas Rawlings, Georgina Rawlings, Kieran Tinsell, Sam Maidment and Suzanna Sutton.

The winning Chippenham YFC junior team comprised Rob Gooding (captain), Archie Farthing, Arthur Farthing and Millie Rawlings.

The Rivermead Mermaids team were Sarah Goodman (captain), Kate Miller, Helen Hayter and Georgina Russell.

More than 7,000 people enjoyed this year’s fourth annual festival, enjoying two days of family fun and delicious food and drink provided by a wide variety of stalls.

Organisers had breathed a sigh of relief after police and council officials evicted a group of travellers from the park a few days earlier.

Melksham’s mayor, Cllr Adrienne Westbrook, said: “We’re very pleased. It has been a wonderful weekend showcasing the River Avon and King George V playing field.”

The chilli-eating competition was won by Shahina Waseem, who had registered just before it was due to start.

She is a professional chilli-eater who is seeking to enter the Guinness Book of Records for more than 40 consecutive wins.

Cllr Westbrook said: “She was pushed to the last chilli by Mr Banana-man and only won by a knock-out.”

River activities included canoeing and Wilts & Berks Canal Trust boat trips on the Mary Archard and Damselfly.

For those who preferred dry land, there were zip wire rides offered by the Cooper Tires Wire Challenge and a 7.3-metre climbing wall organised by the Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team.

Children’s activities featured Danny Toogood’s fairground rides and face painting by Barry Moger. The Sweet Swing Trio, the Military Wives Choir and local band, The Decibelles, provided musical entertainment.