More than 180 adults and 170 children gathered for this year's sixth annual Duck Race and Barbecue, which, as always, enjoyed the support of local businesses and the wider community.

The event drew a line under another successful year for the nursery - in which it was named Best Kept School in the Southern Board area and received its first 'Green Flag' Eco Award - while serving as a send-off for pupils set to embark on their primary school education later this year.

Principal, Mrs. Sharon Beattie, said afterwards, "I wish every child the greatest success in the future; they have all had a positive and wide learning experience this year and are well equipped for year one in their various schools.

"I will follow their educational careers with interest as they develop over the next few years."

Mrs. Beattie was once again delighted with wider backing for the event, which won the support, practical and otherwise, of everyone from the local Fire and Rescue Service, Red Cross and Angling Club to Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church and Dromore High School, while special thanks went to Maguire's Fast Food, who sponsored all the bread-rolls for the event.

The business community again waded in deep, a wide range of companies sponsoring a duck in this year's races. They included the Wellington House, Serenity Beauty Salon, Johnston Pharmacy, Eclipze Hair Studio, M A Quail Ltd, Herrons Country Fried Chicken, The Olde Mill Garden Centre, James Sterling Chemists, Property Partners, Fiona Jennings Optician, Donaldson Haulage, Donaldson Developments and Louise Design.

Also, Drew McWilliams Photography, Supervalu Dromore, Phuns Welcome, D Crookshanks Transport, Patricia Hamilton School Of Music & Performing Arts, Rath House Antiques, McDonald Brothers Developments, F M C Piling and Foundations Ltd, Graham & Heslip, Dromore Post Office, Sam Baird Optician, Steven Hooke Tiling, Detect Security Systems, Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA, Pepper School Uniform, A-One Tyres.

And, Niche Mortgage Solutions, Deidre Shannon, Nannies From Ireland, Emma Keers, John Keers, BP PLC, Clarke Electrics, J P Hagan Solicitors, Better Pets, Cool For School Photography, Concrete Cutting Services, Ronnie Browne, Jackie McCracken, Maguire's Fast Food and Bridge Motor Works.

Said Mrs.