SCHOOL aged rowers to seniors of the sport took to the River Wear at the weekend for the first regatta of the year in Durham.

The Durham City Regatta is the first of three popular regattas held in the city and was a hit with competitors and spectators alike.

As ever it proved popular with student teams as they got to race each other without having to travel far and fight out longstanding rivalries between Durham University's ancient colleges.

Hundreds of rowers put their skills on the water to the test over two days of fast, furious but friendly competition. Hosts Durham Amateur Rowing Club had 59 entries across both days.

On Saturday, rowers navigated a 700m stretch of the Wear watched from the riverbanks by supporters and tourists who had accidentally stumbled across the event.

Most of Sunday’s racing was done over a shorter 500m course but also included a 1,800m time trial.