Teams are being encouraged to sign up to take part in this year's East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival when it returns to Lowestoft later this year.

Lowestoft Journal: The East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival returns to Lowestoft in 2015.The East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival returns to Lowestoft in 2015. (Image: Archant)

This year's event will take place at Nicholas Everitt Park, in Oulton Broad, on Sunday, May 31 and will raise money for East Coast Hospice as it aims to build a new hospice for the Waveney and Great Yarmouth area.

Teams of up to 11 people can enter into the event, with dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment provided and those taking part entering into a minimum of three races.

Up to 40 crews representing companies, organisations, clubs and groups of friends from Lowestoft, Waveney and throughout East Anglia are expected to battle it out over the 200m race course.

However those not racing can enjoy and array of street entertainment, funfair rides, inflatable activities and plenty of food and drink for all the family on the bankside.

ECH community fund-raiser Jeff Wood said: 'ECH are pleased to be a part of bringing back such a high-profile event to the people of Lowestoft and Waveney. It will be a wonderful day for colleagues, friends and families to get together and challenge themselves to racing a dragon boat.

'We really appreciate the continuing support of the community and local companies to help us 'raise the roof' of Margaret Chadd House. We look forward to seeing you all there'

The Yarmouth and Waveney area currently has no inpatient hospice care. ECH has bought a five-acre site near Beacon Park, on the Hopton/Gorleston border, with planning permission granted for a 10-bed inpatient facility with complementary therapy rooms, day care and a garden.

One of the first teams to enter is Persimmon Homes Anglia, based in Lowestoft.

Admin manager Gillian Keiley said: 'Persimmon Homes Anglia has entered the challenge to primarily raise funds for East Coast Hospice.

'We hope that as many members of staff as possible will attend the event to support the Persimmon team – we find events like this help to strengthen and improve our team spirit and are an extremely enjoyable way of raising funds for very worthwhile local charities.'

For more information, visit www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia or call Gable Events on 01780 470718.

Are you organising a community event? Tell The Journal by calling 01502 525825 or email lowestoft.journal@archant.co.uk