The 49th World Tin Bath Championships were held on Saturday in Castletown.

Despite the afternoon’s wet weather thousands turned up to watch the annual spectacle in the ancient capital’s inner harbour.

Organised, as always, by the Castletown Ale Drinkers, the championships had 77 individual entrants and 29 teams altogether.

CADS’ Boris Kitching said: ’The town was absolutely packed and everybody had big smiles.’

Erika Cowen claimed her 21st tin baths title after winning the women’s race at Saturday’s event, with Suzanne Slater and Sarah Cringle finishing second and third respectively.

In the men’s race, David Watt retained his title ahead of brother Nick in second and Paul Watterson in third.

The veterans’ crown went to Alan Taylor.

In the team competitions, the winning women’s team was the Social Network and team Tovag won the men’s team race.

The popular snake race was won by Connect 2 Accounting with Castletown and Malew Fire and Castletown Hockey Club crossing the line in second and third place.

The day raised just under £6,000 which has been split between several local charities including Mannin Cancer, Southlands Dementia Unit and Santon Church.

The championships, which were first started in 1971, will celebrate their 50th year in 2021.