PLACES for the 2016 Monmouth Raft Race are limited, organisers have warned.

The annual Rotary Club of Monmouth-organised event, which starts in Monmouth and ends 6.5 miles downriver at Whitebrook, is limiting places to 100 rafts this year.

Now in its 51st year, the hugely popular race, which principally raises funds for St David’s Hospice Care, will be staged on Sunday 4th September.

The event is sponsored by DHL, Basepoint, Mandarin Stone, Siltbuster and Module IT.

Monmouth Rotary President, Rees Rogers, said: “Monmouth Rotary Club have been organising the Monmouth Raft Race for 14 years and in that time the event has gone from strength to strength, so much so that this year we are having to limit numbers of rafts entered to 100.

“We have cemented a unique bond with St David’s Hospice Care over the last twelve years and look forward to helping raise a record amount of money them again this time.”

Emma Saysell, Chief Executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We really can’t thank the organiser Monmouth Rotary Club and the sponsors enough for all that they do to ensure that the raft race is such a wonderful and very successful event, year on year.”

Entry to the Monmouth Raft Race 2016 costs £75 per raft including a commitment to raise a minimum of £100 per raft in sponsorship. There is an early bird discount on the entry fee but this expires on Wednesday 1st June.

For full details, online or postal entries, visit www.monmouthraftrace.com or call raft race co-ordinator Rotarian David Forbes on 01600 712665 or Kris Broome at St David’s Hospice Care on 01633 851051.