HUNDREDS of people are set to take to the water on whacky and wonderful inflatables when Dorset Dinghy Day returns this weekend.

The free event, which is now in its fifth year, sees participants make their way down the River Stour from Iford Bridge to Tuckton Bridge.

People are invited to turn up at Iford Bridge from 12pm on Saturday with the raft of their choice.

Dorset Dinghy Day has grown in popularity over the years since it started in 2014 by a group of players from the Dorset Dockers Rugby Club.

Last year’s event featured everything from dinghy boats and paddle boards to giant inflatable ducks and unicorns.

Organiser Joe Barton said: “I think it should be a bit bigger. Year on year it’s grown, and we’ve got a few more people involved this year so it should be bigger. For an event that started with 10 to 15 people to hundreds, it’s really grown.”

Iford Baptist Church is once again onboard and will be helping out with litter picking and pumping up inflatables.

Bournemouth Sea Scouts will be providing assistance during the mid-way point of the course, while Ringwood Brewery giving away free samples once people are on dry land.

After the event, there will be food and drink at The Riverside Pub which has recently undergone major refurbishment.

Joe said: “As long as more and more people benefit and more people help and more people enjoy it and give good feedback and it’s benefitting the community, long may it continue.”

“There are no rules, we have people who are proper professional kayakers and enthusiasts to people who turn up with giant inflatables.”

“All we ask is that people are safe, sensible and either throw their rubbish in the bins provided or take it home with them.”