SPACE invaders took over the 18th Thames Valley Grand Prix Raft Race on Sunday as more than 30 raft builders showed off their futuristic designs in sweltering heat.

SPACE invaders took over the 18th Thames Valley Grand Prix Raft Race on Sunday as more than 30 raft builders showed off their futuristic designs in sweltering heat.

The annual event, held at Higginson Park, Marlow, had a total of 33 rafts taking part.

The theme this year was 'Journey into Space', which gave many people the opportunity to dress up as Darth Maul, Aliens and even Dr Who.

Rafts carried grand names like Moonraker, The Exterminator and Empress Klingon.

Competitors began to get into the spirit of the event early on by throwing water bombs at each other - something that has become a ritual at each event.

The teams were made up of people from local companies, schools and clubs with crews made up of all ages, and the event has gained sponsorship from local businesses.

There was also the hugely popular tug-of-war and the duck dash which brought a lucky winner a £100 prize.

Event organiser Sarah Gardner said: 'It's great for the spectators, because it's free, there's a lot of music to enjoy and there's a race for them to get involved in.

'The aim of the day is to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - last year we raised more than £6,000.'

'We have a theme each year and this year we felt - because it was the millennium and it's a new century - we should have a futuristic theme. It's had a great response.'