An urgent call has gone out for volunteers to help organisers of a tradition sailing match keep their event going this year.

A combination of problems has left leaders of Southend annual Thames sailing barge match committee worried about the future of the annual event.

Every August, barges - the traditional vessel used to ship goods around the Essex coast - race in the estuary off Southend pier.

Today committee chairman Grant Littler launched a plea for volunteers to keep the 36-year-old event going strong.

Mr Littler, of Leigh Park Road, Leigh, said: "I'm not saying the barge match is doomed.

"It's at risk but I'm not saying it won't happen because I want to make sure it does happen.

"We are having a committee meeting on April 21 and I'm hoping we can find people interested enough to help."

He added: "It's secretarial work that's the most important thing that needs doing. We need somebody who can help with writing and sending out letters and arranging publicity.

"We do send out quite a few letters - more than 100 - to barges telling them about the match."

Mr Littler also said it would be good if a new sponsor for the event could be found.

Anyone interested should write to Grant Littler at 11 Leigh Park Road, Leigh, or ring 0171 407 0070 during the day.

Barge race 1998 - proud racers on the Thames off Southend

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.