A BOAT race is to be held along the Caldon Canal in aid of charity.

The Hanley Regatta has been organised by Emma Bridgewater Pottery and will take place alongside its Lichfield Street factory.

The company hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice Trust through the event on June 19.

It will feature Up 'anley Duck Races, a Staffordshire versus Keele University Boat Race and the Caldon Challenge Trophy, where businesses will be invited to battle it out for the title of Hanley Regatta champions.

Firms will be asked to put their creative and technical skills to the test to build rafts using plastic barrels, then sail them along a 50-metre stretch of the canal.

There will also be a prize for the best designed raft, judged by company founder Emma Bridgewater.

Event organiser Stephen Hyde, managing director, said: "In this, our 25th birthday year, we want to give something back to the community which has helped us to become so successful.

"So we've set ourselves the target of raising £10,000 for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice Trust, and wanted a real showpiece event that the whole community could quite literally get on board with."

There are 16 places in the raft race. Companies which want to enter a team should contact Stephen Hyde or Kate Ellis on 01782 201200. Entry is £100 and barrels are provided.