A MUDDY tug of war battle was once again the crowd-pulling attraction of a town’s annual event.

This year’s Manningtree Regatta saw competitors slipping, sliding and squelching knee deep across the muddy bed of the River Stour for a host of water-based events over the weekend.

The event set off with sailing races on Saturday which took place from close to the regatta’s Quay Street base.

In the evening hundreds of people headed to the beach to watch fireworks light up the sky before the mud events on Sunday.

There were also mud races for both children and adults.

Stephen Hopkins, of the Stour Sailing Club Regatta sub-committee, which organises the event, said about 600 people attended the event.

He said: “It was a fantastic event overall. The weather was good for spectators on Saturday but sadly on the Sunday there was no racing because of the lack of wind.

“The mini zoo was a huge success and the art competition attracted loads of people and the artist Kit Leese gave his comments and feedback on the artwork.

He added: “For the sailors the highlight was the sailing, but for me the highlights were the fireworks on Saturday evening and the children’s tug of war was brilliant.”

A date has already been fixed for the regatta to be held next July.