PEOPLE had fun down by the riverside yesterday as a town’s annual regatta enjoyed some rare sunshine.

This year’s Woodbridge Regatta, which first started in 1857, drew in more than 2,000 people by the River Deben yesterday.

A variety of boat races were put on, including yacht, dingy, rowing and tender.

Geoff Holdcroft, chairman of the Woodbridge Regatta Association, said: “It was fun, it’s gone well, everybody has enjoyed themselves.

“The sun shone brightly till the end, it was magnificent. It’s a very nice family event. Third and fourth generations came down together.

“Everyone has the opportunity to do their part. It’s great fun for the children.

“The highlight of it was the raft race – there were six rafts made and four children on each craft. They went up the river to the mill, it’s about a quarter of a mile, it’s spectacular.”

The day was rounded off when the Churches Together in Woodbridge and Melton held a Songs of Praise performance at the bandstand. The raft race was organised by the 1st Woodbridge Scout Group and the money raised from the day goes to the Woodbridge Division of the Girl Guides.

Mr Holdcroft said the event was made possible by the 1st and 5th Woodbridge Scout Group, Woodbridge and District Lions Club and the Woodbridge Boat Yard.

Next year’s Woodbridge Regatta will have the theme of Benjamin Britten, to mark 100 years since his birth.