THE first day of the 179th Durham Regatta has been cancelled today due to the dangerously high level of the River Wear through the city.

Regatta officials have been monitoring rising river level due to the recent heavy rainfall and the decision to cancel was made at daybreak today after an overnight surge in the depth of the Wear upstream.

It means the entire opening day programme, including the Founders' races involving local school and clubs, will not take place, as well as the planned parade of crew skippers from Palace Green to the Racecourse.

River levels will continue to be monitored throughout the day before a decision is taken on Sunday's planned programme.

It is hoped an announcement can be made by late afternoon or early evening.

The regatta website carried news of the decision to postpone the first day schedule of the two-day event, the second oldest regatta in the country.

It stated: "We regret to have to announce that because the river level is unsafe for rowing we have had to cancel Saturday's programme.

"We continue to monitor the state of the river and we will make an announcement about Sunday's racing later today."

Should Sunday's race schedule receive the all clear the parade will not be staged, however, as necessary road closures are not in place.

But a smaller parade will be staged on The Racecourse itself.

Further news on tomorrow's programme will be posted on the website, www.durham-regatta.org.uk later today.