YOUNG rowers from Durham have impressed during a contest on the River Thames.

Members of Durham Amateur Rowing Club took part in the Tideway Heads event in London, which traditionally marks the end of the winter rowing calendar.

The Junior Girls 8-plus finished 73rd overall in a field of almost 300 crews of all ages and 11th in the school/junior category.

Crew member Olivia Brown said: “After a worrying 15 minutes of downpour the conditions brightened and we had a great row, managing to finish an impressive 73rd, massively improving from our 230th starting place, with a time not far of our local rivals Durham University.

“Overall it was a great experience. It was a great day’s rowing with a great result.”

The eight comprised Olivia, Ellen Blowey, Georgia McMillan, Sarah Coleman, Charlotte Jackson, Hope Cessford, Corrine Hatton and Hannah Iqbal, with Rebecca Jackson as cox.

The coaches were Fred Snowdon, Gordon Beattie and Vicky Jackson and the crew rowed in the Jessica Eddie, a boat named after the double Olympic finalist who started her career with the club.

Tideway Heads attracts crews from across the UK and overseas and the eights take part in a time trial over the 6.8km course between Mortlake and Putney, the reverse direction to the famous University Boat Race.