Portishead's popular raft race across the town's lake is to be revived by a team of volunteers.

The race, which was previously organised by the Portishead Lifeboat Trust, has been put on hold for the past couple of years because of a lack of volunteers to organise it.

The race, in July, was one of the biggest fundraisers for the trust, which runs the town's voluntary lifeboat service out of Sugar Loaf Bay.

Now a team of volunteers has stepped forward to re-launch the raft race and is already busy planning this year's extravaganza, which will take place at the Lake Grounds on July 12.

This year the event will be a family fun day, with people being invited to bring a picnic to enjoy while they watch teams dash around the water.

Money raised at the event will be split between the lifeboat trust and other local charities.

It is also hoped to offer a range of new categories in the race, which goes from the lakeside around the island and back again, to encourage local schools, businesses, pubs and youth organisations to get involved.

Each team will be asked to pay an entry fee and raise sponsorship money, all of which will go to the charitable causes.

A dedicated website has also been set up for people to register their entry and find out more about the event.

There will also be sections on how to build a raft and details of all the teams who have entered.

Portishead Raft Race committee spokesman Mark Gardner said: "We are still in the early planning stages of the event, but want it to be bigger and better than in previous years.

"We have already had a dozen applications from people who want to enter a raft, which is excellent at this early stage.

"We want to make this a real community event and more of a family fun day where people can come to the Lake Grounds with a picnic and enjoy watching the event and cheering on the teams.

"We want the raft race to once again become a part of the Portishead calendar and at the same time raise lots of money for good causes."

The committee is also looking for local businesses to come forward and sponsor the event.

For more information, visit www.portisheadraftrace.co.uk.