THOUSANDS of rowers and spectators will descend on Durham this weekend, for the country’s second oldest regatta.

The 180th Durham Regatta will feature more than 600 crews contesting almost 500 races.

Races will begin on the River Wear through Durham City every few minutes on Saturday and Sunday.

Organisers are desperate for good weather, after the prestigious event was cancelled for the first time in its history last year due to high water levels in the Wear following heavy rain.

Currently, the forecast is for dry conditions across the weekend, with highs of 20 degrees Celsius expected on Saturday.

Spectators can watch the action from the riverbanks, with races between 8.30am and 7pm on Saturday and 9am and 6pm on Sunday.

A presentation ceremony will follow the racing in Durham Town Hall on Sunday night.

Despite repeated landslips on the riverbanks in recent months, both the short and long courses will be used. Organisers thanked volunteers for helping to clear the river.

For the first time, the regatta, which is sponsored by Corepeople, will feature Rowability – adaptive rowing races for disabled athletes.

There will also be the return of the Founders’ Races, this year featuring crews from Durham School and Durham Amateur Rowing Club.

Entry to the regatta enclosure costs £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions.

Keith Yates is clocking up his 50th year as the regatta’s commentator.

There is also lots of other entertainment planned, including live music, a classic car rally and the chance to sit in a full-size replica Spitfire cockpit. There will also be various stalls.

New for this year is a Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) beer festival, open on Durham Racecourse from 5pm to 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Entry costs £2. There will be a ceilidh from 7pm on Friday, led by The Scrumpy Badgers.

Durham Regatta, which started as a celebration of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, is known as the Henley of the north, although it predates its more famous southern rival by several years.

It is the second oldest regatta in England, preceded only by Chester.

For more information, visit durham-regatta.org.uk