THE 46th annual Monmouth Raft Race was one of the most successful ever in terms of cash raised, organisers say.

Organised by The Rotary Club of Monmouth and sponsored again by The Crown at Whitebrook, the race saw a bumper flotilla of 57 varieties of rafts take to the waters in September.

A total of £20,455 was raised by the event this year with 75 per cent going to St David's Foundation Hospice Care. The remainder of the money is donated by The Rotary Club to a variety of other local charities.

Monmouth Rotarian Norman Williams said: "We're pleased to report that the 2011 raft race was a huge success. We're delighted to be able to donate more than £15,000 to St David's Foundation to help them to continue to provide their vital hospice in the home services throughout Gwent.

"We'd particularly like to thank our wonderful sponsors for their backing of the event for the second year in succession after coming on board as inaugural sponsors last year and helping us to reach a record total in terms of cash raised."

Kris Broome, of St David's Foundation, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that this year's event was again a great success and we're now gearing up for next year's Monmouth Raft Race which will be staged on Sunday, September 2, 2012.

"We'd like to thank Monmouth Rotary for organising such a superb event this year and especially all the hardy souls, many of whom return year after year, for taking part in the raft race. We had great weather this year so let's hope we get more of the same in 2012."

The Monmouth Raft Race starts at Monmouth Rowing Club and ends at Tump Farm six-and-a-half miles down river at Whitebrook.