A ROWING race took place on the River Blackwater this weekend as the Stone Sailing Club held its annual Round Osea Island Rowing Race.

The race, held each year in the summer months, sees row racers from around Essex join up at the club in St Lawrence to race each other around the island, setting off from the sailing club at high tide.

Rowing boats and kayak teams came from as far as Southampton and Norfolk, with local teams featuring those from the Stone sailing club, Burnham Mersey Island and the Lower Thames Rowing Club in Old Leigh.

Crowds turned out to cheer the competitors along, with food and drink being served at the club after the race had finished in the afternoon.