THIS year’s Bradford Dragonboat Festival is set to sell out four months in advance, after every spot for the Youth Championships was snapped up in just five days.

Spots for the youth day of the festival - open to schools and youth groups from across Bradford and the rest of the UK - were opened earlier this month, but in less than a week every spot was taken.

Extra places were created due to demand, and these were gobbled up in a matter of hours.

This follows the Multi-Charity Championship selling out late last year, just weeks after entries were opened, and only a handful of slots are left for the main event - the Lord Mayor’s Championship, and the evening event of the Youth Championships.

The festival will return to the district from June 21 to 23, once again taking place at Roberts Park in Saltaire, opening with the Youth Championship on the Friday, the Lord’s Mayor’s Championship on the Saturday, and the Multi-Charity Championship on the Sunday.

As well as three days of action on the water, with around 2,000 rowers in nearly 100 teams taking part, there will be a vast array of food and drink tents, children activities, market stalls and a stage with live music throughout the weekend.

On the Friday for juniors, there will be two events, one during the day and one in the evening.

Teams taking part include three teams from Hanson Academy, two teams from Titus Salt School and also teams from outside the district; Yeadon Westfield Primary School and Rastrick High School.

Youth Service groups from Keighley, Shipley and Bradford East are also taking part, along with Haworth Scouts group.

Razwana Mahmood, a member of the Dragonboat Festival organising committee, said: “We opened registration for the Youth Day on Monday, February 4, and by Friday 8, for the day event, we were sold out.

“A number of schools were so disappointed that we had a discussion with our friends at Race the Dragon, who squeezed in another five slots.

“Within a day or so of making them live, they were also sold out. This has been record breaking for us and we’re so pleased that schools value the festival as much as we do.

“Anyone still looking to book for the Lord Mayor’s Championship thinking they have plenty of time, please be warned. Do not leave it too late.

“We are fast approaching sell out for the main day which will mean that effectively, the whole festival will be fully sold out very soon.”

The Lord Mayor’s Championship raises money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, which this year is supporting the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice and Bradford NightStop.

To secure one of the few remaining spots at the festival, visit bradforddragonboatfestival.co.uk