THE owners of The Crown at Whitebrook are renewing backing for the Monmouth Raft Race.

The 2011 staging of the annual Rotary raft Race is set for success after organisers secured second helpings from their first ever sponsor.

Last year's event was the most successful on record with a mammoth £24,000 raised for charity.

The nominated charity last year was Gwent hospice at home the St David's Foundation, which, received a cheque for £19,500 from The Rotary Club of Monmouth. The remainder of the money raised went to a variety of other local charities.

St David's Foundation is the nominated charity again this year. The six mile race, which starts at Monmouth Rowing Club and ends at Tump Farm, Whitebrook, is being staged this year on Sunday, September 4 starting at 12 noon.