THE boat race of the North will be held next month (May).

Durham and Newcastle University’s boat clubs will go head-to-head on the River Tyne on Saturday, May 7.

The race, covering 1.5km from Redheugh to the Millennium Bridge, was relaunched last year and hundreds of spectators are expected to line the riverbanks.

This year’s contest will feature six races – each university will field a first and second eight from their men’s and women’s squads, there will be an alumni contest and finally a local derby between Tyne Rowing Club and Tyne United Rowing Club.

The first race begins at 3.30pm and the last at 4.45pm.

Newcastle University will be looking to defend the title it claimed last year.

Boat club president Barnaby Stroud-Turp said: “The Tyne provides an amazing waterway in which to race.

“It’s great to see the city from a riverside perspective and have crowds lining the Quayside and cheering us on.

“Last year’s event was the first staged in over five years. It proved popular with competitors and the public alike so we are keen to make it an annual fixture.

“We’d encourage everyone to get down to the Quayside to watch the North-East’s version of the Oxford-Cambridge boat race.”