The future of the waterways surrounding Eton Wick and Dorney has been hotly debated - with villagers at loggerheads with the Environment Agency and Thames Water in recent years over pollution.

But the relaunch of the village based Eton Wick Waterways Group on Saturday was a friendly affair as representatives from the EA and Thames Water mingled with nearby residents and visitors in the Village Hall.

In the afternoon raft races were held along a 200 yard strip of the Roundmoor Ditch near Dorney Common with prizes for the winners. The rafts were all handmade by the competitors that day and much enjoyed despite the occasional problem with the bends and obstructions that had to be negotiated.

But there was a serious purpose behind the fun.

The environmental charity Thames 21 - which is keeping a close watch on the welfare of the Roundmoor Ditch - was represented.

Mark Cannon from the Eton Wick Waterways Group said: "Now we have to carry on and oversee the continued improvement in the quality of the water and the wildlife around it.

"We have to continue to fight to prevent future pollution events."

The morning saw Eton Wick Village Hall host an open day to relaunch the Waterways Group.

Eton Wick School had held a competition to design a new logo and poster. Winners Lucy Weaver, nine and Tehya Ruci, eight, won days out at Legoland in Windsor and the Wetland Centre near Barnes for their families.

The swan rescue charity Swan Support came along, while an owl sanctuary from Oxford provided some attractive feathered visitors.

The Royal Borough's Mayor and Mayoress Cllr John Lenton and Margaret Lenton were present, as well as ward councillor and cabinet member cllr Samantha Rayner.

It is only just over three years since heavy flooding saw the nearby sewage works overflow into the Roundmoor Ditch, leading to angry public meetings and demand that it be better protected.