AS the heat wave hit South Bucks families hit The Thames to cool down and watch Bourne End's charity raft race.Michelle Fleming reports.

Temperatures soared as marine lovers flocked to Bourne End's annual charity raft race.

And as six teams battled through the heat on their makeshift rafts on Saturday, locals and foreigners alike sat back to enjoy picnics, Pimms and the usual rafting excitement.

The fun and games kicked off at 3pm from The Bounty public house when teams arrived armed with barrels, ropes and the odd inflatable rhinoceros with which they had one hour to make a sea-worthy vessel.

And as revellers cheered on, the raftsmen took to the water for the gruelling length down Bourne End Marina where pranksters laden with bags of flour lay waiting on the footbridge overhead.

The excitement mounted as the flour and sweat drenched teams made their way back towards the finishing line cheered on by hundreds gathered by the decking in front of the riverside bar.

Maidenhead's Hockey Team put in a fine performance before storming past the finishing line in first place.

While all eyes were on Slough's own Hawaii 60 and Chalfont's FAB 1 who were neck and neck up until the very end.

But despite their efforts FAB 1, complete with their own sailing pooch Robbie, were just pipped into third place at the finishing line.

Dale Dias, 17, a student from Wychwood Rise, Great Missenden, said it was his first time at the race but he would be returning next year.

"It's brilliant fun," he said. "There's such a massive party atmosphere here and everyone is just having a ball."

Sisters Mary Harding, of Flackwell Heath, Janet Greenham, of Bourne End, and Jill Lunnon, of Wooburn Green, said they try and get to all of the races each year.

"We always come and it's always fabulous especially today as the sun hasn't stopped shining," said Mrs Harding, 66.

"It's such great fun but they take it seriously as well."

Geoffrey Richardson, 72, came all the way from Bristol for the festivities.

"This is by far the best pub on the Thames and the race is always brilliant a lot better than Oxford and Cambridge if you ask me," he said.

And beers, a barbecue and a host of challenges, which saw grown men drinking yards of prune juice and youngsters burying their heads in buckets of beans, kept everyone entertained.

Organiser David Wright, landlord of The Bounty said he will give all money raised to Classic Gold Radio, a charity for deprived children.