Oars at the ready for annual Shrewsbury Regatta

The regatta is one of the oldest events in the rowing calendar, having first been held in 1871.

Races will take place on the River Severn between English Bridge and the boathouses opposite the Quarry.

Organised by Pengwern Boat Club, more than 1,500 competitors take part from rowing clubs all over the country.

Races will take place roughly every three minutes on both Saturday and the Sunday with supporters from the competing clubs cheering the crews on.

There will be races for eights, fours and pairs as well as quad, double and single sculling boats. Competitors will include men, women, juniors and veterans.

There is free admission to members of the public wanting to soak up the atmosphere and they will be able to watch the racing from the river banks on both sides of the Severn. There will be also be a bar and barbecue.

On Saturday the regatta organisers will also welcome Atlantic rowers Di Carrington from Pontesbury and Sharon Magrath from Bayston Hill.

They are two of the three women who, in February, became the fastest female crew ever to row the Atlantic. Di, 62, also became the oldest woman ever to make the crossing.

Also paying a visit to the club is Kelda Wood, a para-athlete, who is currently in training for her attempt to cross the Atlantic in a single seater boat.

Racing gets underway at 8.30am on Saturday.

Liz Young, regatta secretary, said: "We have catering of all sorts, an ice cream van, cakes and coffee. Hopefully the weather will stay for us as that would be perfect.

"The venture scouts are also helping out with the car parking so it should all run smoothly. There will be some great racing. On the Saturday the races take place over a 1000m course while on Sunday it is a shorter 600m course."