A UNIVERSITY boat race has had to be cancelled this afternoon due to the weather.

The Boat Race of the North, dubbed the northern equivalent of the world-famous race between Oxford and Cambridge University students, was due to take place on the River Tyne, in Newcastle.

Ten North-East rowing teams were due to compete for a range of coveted race titles in a bid to be crowned the Siemens Boat Race of the North winners 2018.

Newcastle University with support from NE1 Ltd, the business improvement district company for Newcastle City Centre and Siemens who are sponsors of the event, worked hard to bring the Boat Race of the North back to the Tyne which was a feature on the river in the 90s and officially relaunched in 2015.

However, organisers confirmed the event had to be cancelled due to the weather.

Tariq Albassam, director of operations at NE1 Ltd said: "Unfortunately the event this afternoon is cancelled.

"This is because of the weather conditions on the A1 and Durham University Boat Club are unable to bring the boats safely to Newcastle."

Mr Albassam said the race would be rescheduled and a new date released in the coming weeks.