Lake District regatta attracts record numbers

More than 350 rowers will be at Derwentwater for its biggest-ever regatta

A record 350 rowers are taking part in a Lake District regatta over this weekend.

The annual Derwentwater Head race in Keswick also attracts large crowds to the area.

The event began more than 150 years ago when Victorian rowing enthusiasts transported their boats to the Lake District by train from London.

Julia McCumiskey, who chairs Lakeland Rowing Club, said this year's race would be the biggest of its kind to be staged on Derwentwater.

"There’s a lot of enthusiasm from the rowing community," she said.

"We're expecting 56 crews representing 16 clubs from around the country.

"That's is a far cry from the first event in 1870 when crews travelled from London by train and carried their boats through Keswick to the Derwentwater shore."

Events will be contested by crews of four and eight, aged from 14 to over 70, racing over a 3km (2 miles) course.

Update: The event mentioned in this article was cancelled due to weather and wind conditions.