Thousands of boating enthusiasts turned out to enjoy the finale of Mersea Week the town regatta.

Saturday marked the end of a week of events and races and is a day of fun and games, which sees people paddling with shovels, sailing backwards and tackling the infamous walk along the greasy pole.

Ron Green, of the West Mersea Town Regatta Committee, said: "There was absolutely thousands of people who came out, some for the races and others just for the evening events and fireworks."

Mersea has held a regatta since 1833 and this year's event saw fishing smacks, dinghys and yachts all racing.

More in today's Evening Gazette.

Published Monday August 26, 2002

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