ROWERS face a nervous wait after trying to set a new world record over the weekend.

Members of Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club were hoping to set a new global standard for the biggest rowing lesson ever seen.

The official record currently stands at 198 people on the water over a 24-hour period.

Officials at the County Durham club believe they had 230 rowers and coxes on the River Wear in Chester-le-Street between 7pm on Friday and 7pm on Saturday, blowing the record out of the water.

But they must wait until Guinness World Records officials check their paperwork and confirm the feat.

Steven Thompson, the club’s head coach, admitted it would be a nervous wait.

However, the rowers involved had a great time, with participants aged eight to 66 and some spending virtually the whole 24-hour period on the Wear.

The stunt also helped to raise awareness of the club – some people who came along to watch were given introductory lessons and may get further involved.

Finally, about £3,000 was raised in sponsorship – meaning the club now has the £6,000 it needs to buy a new double boat for its youngest rowers, those aged ten to 12. Numbers have been growing fast in that youngest age category.

The rowers even managed to get off the water just before Saturday’s (August 22) heavy downpours and thunder and lightning hit.

Mr Thompson said: “It went really well. Everyone recorded when they were out and how long for, we’ve got it all logged.

“Right through the night we kept going, kept rotating. We’re all absolutely exhausted, but it was really good.”