There will be waves of laughter as competitors make a big splash at the annual Bredon bell boat races.

This year’s event – the fifth – takes place on Saturday 1st September and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

“We’re expecting about 18 to 20 teams to take part,” said Elaine Cantle, who is one of the organising committee.

“The event has just got more and more popular. When we first started we had just two boats but now we have four.

“Teams compete in heats before going through to contest a final.”

The races are over short distances on the River Avon which runs through the delightful village with the fun starting at noon and finishing at about 4pm.

“It’s a great community day,” added Elaine. “Lots of local businesses and pubs put in teams – we get teams from the local vets, the surgery, girls’ rugby, the school, the playgroup and the WI. We also have a kids’ team as well.”

So what is a bell boat?

“They are two boats shaped a bit like a canoe that are held together a bit like a katamaran,” said Elaine. “They are very safe and used by schools to introduce kids to the water.

“We’ve never had a boat sink since we’ve been running the event.

“There are eight paddlers in each boat plus a helmsman.”

It all sounds great fun and while all this is going on on the water there is plenty going on on dry land too.

“It’s held in the meadow at the Old Rectory and we have lots of stalls,” explained Elaine. “We have a cider tent, a gin and tonic tent, a Pimm’s tent, a barbecue and a pig roast.”

The event is held primarily as a community event but also to raise funds for the historic and very beautiful St Giles Church in the village.