COMPANIES from across the region are getting teams together and signing up for the East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival.The fifth annual festival takes place on Oulton Broad on Sunday, May 9 in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), and has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the local and regional events calendar.

COMPANIES from across the region are getting teams together and signing up for the East Anglian Dragon Boat Festival.

The fifth annual festival takes place on Oulton Broad on Sunday, May 9 in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), and has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the local and regional events calendar.

One of the first two teams to enter this year represents Online Ergonomics - a Lowestoft-based company with 15 staff that supplies office furniture and equipment for people returning to work with a disability or back problems.

It is taking part for the second time, and company spokesman Wayne Bennett said: 'We entered a team last year and it was so popular with our staff and we all had such a brilliant family day out that we decided to enter two teams this time around... Last year we raised over �1000 for East Anglia's Children's Hospices and we are aiming to beat that figure this year'.

Anyone can take part in the racing, whatever your age or ability. Trophies will be presented to the winning crew, the top mixed crew (minimum five women), the best-dressed crew and the crew raising the most money. The top fundraisers for EACH will also receive a celebratory lunch plus use of the spa and gym at the Marriott Sprowston Manor near Norwich, which is itself entering a team.

A team can include up to 11 people (squads can be larger). Boats and equipment are provided and crews are guaranteed three races.

The festival, at Nicholas Everitt Park will also include Chinese lion dancing, funfair, and inflatable activities. It is supported by the Lowestoft Journal, Waveney District Council and BBC Suffolk who are entering a presenters' team.

Carl Brooks, corporate fund-raiser at EACH, said: 'The money raised through the generosity of the teams taking part will go towards the one-to-one nursing care and support that is so vital to life-threatened local children and their families'.

For more details on the festival, call Gable Events on 01780 470718 or visit its website: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/eastanglia