STUDENT rowers have taken up the traditional challenge to compete against each other in an annual university boat race.

Dave Clasper, great-greatnephew of North-East rowing legend Harry Clasper, presided as Dan Cupit, president of Newcastle University Boat Club issued the challenge to Rob Stark, president of Durham University Boat Club, by handing over the ceremonial oar blade.

Mr Clasper said: "Not many people realise that, in Harry Clasper's day, back in the mid- 1800s, competitive rowing on the Tyne had a tremendous following.

I had the honour of starting the very first University Boat Race in 1997, and I have been thrilled to see the annual spectacle unfolding between the two universities. I wish all the rowers the very best of luck in this year's races, and long may they continue to revive the spirits of past greats like Clasper, Renforth, Chambers and Taylor in this classic contest."

This year's university boat race takes place on the Tyne on Sunday, May 11, with races between the university freshmen's and freshwomen's eights, and men's and women's first (senior) eights battled out over an 1,800m course on the River Tyne, from Dunston Staithes to the finish line under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The first race will start at 1.30pm.

The senior men's eights compete for a trophy named in honour of Harry Clasper.

Although last year's event was a tie, with each university claiming two of the four races, Durham University are the reigning title holders because they have won more of the previous years' events outright.