THE ORGANISERS of a family event which raises thousands for charity every year said they are bitterly disappointed at a plastic duck ban.

Last year Allerdale council agreed to ban plastic ducks from watercourses owned by the authority.

The Uppies and Downies players, who gather every Easter time for the traditional mass football game, have held a charity duck race at Mill Field for the last two years.

But now the event organisers are having to re-think this year's event.

Elvin Jarvis, one of the charity organisers, said: “We are totally disappointed as we have never lost a duck in all the years of doing the race.

“We have 1,000 ducks and use them to raise extra funds for charity.

“We are now looking to use lemons as an alternative, but we can only use them once then they are going into landfill, so why are we having to cause more waste when we have our ducks that are paid for?

“We believe Copeland have not banned duck races, just Allerdale, we are all upset.”

Organisers use nets to retrieve the ducks at the end of the race.

Last year, the duck race and a charity night organised by the players raised £5,000 for Workington’s Boys and Girls’ Club, which offers children and adult boxing classes in Mossbay.

This year they are raising cash for West House, which supports people with learning disabilities.

Elvin said: “We always try to keep it local and with funding cuts [to social care] we chose West House.”

Businesses have already started donating raffle prizes for the fundraiser.

Anyone wanting to donate a prize can contact Elvin or Lewis Shepherd through the Workington Uppies & Downies Facebook page.

A spokesman for Allerdale council said: "If any group or organisation wants to run an event on council-owned land then they can make an application to us and it will be considered. The council is happy to talk anyone in this position to discuss the details of any proposed event further."