30879-20ORGANISERS of the annual Chinese dragon boat race at Coate Water believe they are in for a bumper year.

Although the cash has yet to be counted, the British Heart Foundation estimates the charity race has generated around £7,000, smashing last year's total.

Now in its third year, the event saw 19 rowing teams battling it out on the Swindon lake.

Crews were made up of work colleagues, pub regulars and groups of friends in vessels based on 2,000-year-old Chinese designs.

Paul Bancroft, the charity's area fundraiser for Wiltshire, said: "We raised £6,000 last year, but I'm confident we have bettered that.

"Around 60 per cent of what we raise goes into national research, while the remainder is split between education and the provision of equipment for cardiac patients."

The winners were a crew of engineers from RAF Lyneham named Fat Albert, the nickname for the Hercules C130s they work on. The crew tore down the course which covered about half the lake in 51 seconds.

Their captain, Mark Shearn, 36, was thrilled.

"We all worked well together," he said.

"I love it, it's great fun and helps a really good cause."

The team were presented with a dragon trophy by Swindon Mayor Derek Benfield.

Mike Crump, who helped organise the race, said: "It's great to see how the teams improve over the course of the day. I'm really pleased with this year's turn out."