Speed, talent and glamour were essential at this year's River Festival to become a winner of one of the many competitions.

The University of Bedfordshire roared down the River Great Ouse to win the dragonboat race. Bedford Blues took third place.

The Combat Wombats battled their way to become winners of the raft race with a speedy time of 7mins 5secs.

From the float parade, there were several winners. For the best trade float category, Place Pacific Direct were successful.

Best organisation and novelty float prize was handed to North Beds Special Olympics Equestrian Team.

Woodside Middle School was the winner of the best local school float with an international theme.

And winner of the best float in the parade was Balliol Lower School. The best pedestrian group from the parade was Compowerment.

Bedford displayed a rainbow of musical genres over the weekend.

Bedfordshire Music took the best local band prize while The Shefford Majorettes twirled their way to win best troupe.

In the decorated boats there were many categories. In the private boat sector, the winner was Miss Magic, skippered by Stuart Turvey, with a dracula theme.

The boat club class winner was Bedford Boat Club, with an 1950s theme. Lady Rosemary II won in the narrow boat class.

Lighting up the night, the illuminated boat show attracted much attention. The narrow boat class saw Les Deacon take the Lady Rosemary II to another win. Bedford Boat Club also took the boat club prize for best illuminated boat.

Mike Hennessey sailed Nice & Slow to victory in the private class.

Finally, the spirit of the festival award was won by well-deserved Viking Kayak Club for an imaginative dragon-theme boat.