Lifeboat Week returns in full-force to Swanage today after an absence of two years.

The family-friendly festival of fundraising is technically held over nine days with the star of the show being an alway-popular duck race.

And this year sees the debut of over 2,000 new ducks - originally meant to steal the show in 2020 but, as a result of Covid restrictions, have been stuck in storage for the past two years.

It all kicks off today with an open golf competition at The Dorset Golf and Country Club before things really heat up on Sunday.

That’s when the duck competition gets underway: at 4pm with the race starting by the Post Office and ending at The Mowlem.

Ducks cost £2 each and, with over 2,000 on the start line, the competition promises to be fierce.

Monday and Tuesday will see outdoor events with the Rain or Shine Theatre Company performing The Recruiting Officer at Prince Albert Gardens from 7pm on Monday.

Tuesday evening, also at the Prince Albert Gardens, will see an open-air screening of No Time to Die from 8.30pm.

Swanage RNLI's boat-building competition returns as part of Lifeboat Week.

The much loved competition takes place on Saturday, August 20 and sees competitors given a host of materials and four hours to build a boat fit for racing around The Stone Quay.

Boats use a broom handle as a paddle and are predominantly made out of plywood and timber with crews allowed to bring hand tools to help aid with the assembly.

The race, at 4pm, forms part of Saturday’s ‘lifeboat festival and fair’ from 11am at Prince Albert Gardens and will also feature a lobster raffle, live music along with plenty of food and drinks to keep the entertainment flowing into the evening.

It all concludes on Sunday, August 21 with the traditional RNLI boat-house open day where visitors can come take a glimpse ‘behind the scenes’ before a lifeboat launch at midday.

The curtains on what is sure to be a fantastic week of vital fundraising will come down with a lifeboat service held from 4pm at Swanage Pier.

To find out more and see the full programme of events visit the Swanage Lifeboat Station facebook page.

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.