REPEATED landslips pose an ongoing threat to the North-East’s premier regatta, organisers have said.

The banks of the River Wear through Durham City have suffered a series of slips over recent months, most notably on Christmas Eve when part of a Church Street vicarage garden disappeared and more recently in upstream Pelaw Woods.

Last week, Durham County Council ordered an investigation into the problem.

The ash tree which fell on Christmas Eve blocked part of the regatta’s long course and, had it remained, around a third of the rowing races would have had to be cancelled.

However, workers today (Wednesday, May 8) began removing the tree from the river.

Dave Oliver, secretary of the Durham Regatta, said paying for such work was hitting the prestigious event and he hoped other bodies would step in to help with funding.

The cancellation of last year’s regatta due to heavy rain cost organisers around £5,000.

This year’s Durham Regatta, the 180th, will be held on June 8 and 9. For more information, visit durham-regatta.org.uk