A BOAT race is expected to go ahead later today during a market town's summer festivities - despite warnings from local authorities.

The boat race was one of the highlights of Barnard Castle's Meet weekend, but last year Teesdale's Safety Advisory Committee recommended to festival's organisers that it should be cancelled for safety reasons.

But a mysterious group has posted flyers around the County Durham town advertising a "Revolutionary Boat Race" - taking place this afternoon at 2pm on the River Tees.

For decades, hundreds of people have gathered along the banks of the river to see the make-shift vessels race from the County Bridge down to the "green bridge".

The red flyers, which are displayed in pubs in Barnard Castle, feature an anarchy symbol and instructs competitors to meet under the County Bridge.

"I'm not sure where the poster came from - it just appeared," said the barman at one pub displaying a poster.

"We don't really know who's behind it, and we don't condone it. However, I do know there are a lot of people in Barnard Castle who enjoyed the boat race, so there might be some support.

"It had been going for years and years before it was stopped."

Rachel Tweddle, chairwoman of the Barnard Castle Meet, said: "Obviously we were disappointed that we couldn't carry on the boat race because we knew it was popular, but we would have had to go down the route of getting indemnity forms and the like, and it was just too much.

"We've completely distanced ourselves from this boat race and we'll be elsewhere on Saturday, and making a point of it.

"We've organised other events for teams to take part in, such as the It's a Knockout competition."

Inspector Kevin Tuck, of Barnard Castle police, said: "Any unofficial boat race is not supported by the Meet committee, the safety advisory committee or the police.

"Officers will not stop those entering the water, but concerns surrounding water and road safety remain. There's no road closure structure in place and, if the flow of traffic and footpaths are wilfully obstructed, then officers in the area may need to give advice or in extreme circumstances take enforcement action."