ELY will host its first regatta in living memory on Saturday, featuring a barbecue, an artwork display and dozens of boats on the river Great Ouse. Races start at noon and will include novice Virus boats, boys coxed quadruple sculls as well as women s c

ELY will host its first regatta in living memory on Saturday, featuring a barbecue, an artwork display and dozens of boats on the river Great Ouse.

Races start at noon and will include novice 'Virus' boats, boys coxed quadruple sculls as well as women's coxed double sculls and a display of new Toppers.

The Classic Regatta will make use of Ely Rowing Club's vintage boats, and races will hark back to the days of classic racing. Teams will row across a three-furlong festival course instead of today's metric courses.

Derek Pickersgill of Ely Rowing Club said it is hoped that the regatta will become an annual event.

Refreshments will be in the form of a barbecue with local produce, while artist Stuart Green will display his ideas for displays celebrating the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race of 1944, which was held on the river at Ely.