Spectators were left in oar as hundreds of rowers took to the Thames in boats of all shapes and sizes to compete in the annual Great River Race.

Setting off from London Docklands last Saturday morning, about 300 crews powered through the water upstream to Ham.

For the first time in more than 20 years of the historic race the boats travelled upstream - a quirk that was down to a change in tidal patterns.

However, it didn’t stop the crowd getting behind the rowers, with a party atmosphere greeting the triumphant participants as they paddled through Chiswick and Richmond to the finishing line.

Mike Neill, his wife, and the couple’s four children, completed the race aboard a replica 12th century Peter Boat, which was custom made for the latest Robin Hood film.

Mr Neil, who grew up in Ham, said: “Our time was three hours and 40 minutes which wasn’t too bad considering the antiquity of the boat design - originally it was designed as a fishing boat.”

The family took part the race to raise money for Save the Children, of which Mr Neill’s mother, Lady Sally Neill, was a lifelong supporter and president of the Richmond branch.

Beating the Neill family with an impressive time of two hours 39 minutes were The Sisterhood, whose score saw them named the second fastest women’s team in the race.

The all-girl team, who meet every Monday night at Barnes Bridge, raced as the mayor of Hounslow’s official boat.

They used the race to raise money for the charity Babes in Arms, having already collected £200,000 for over the past three years.

Team member Amy Sharpe said: “We worked hard and got a really good result. It was windy and it was high tide and it was really, really choppy but we managed not to capsize.”

Spectators, who gathered to watch the crews complete the final leg of the 22-mile challenge, were kept entertained with events taking place along the river bank.

A party was held on Chiswick Pier to celebrate the race and cheer on the brave competitors who swam between the pier and Chiswick Eyot in the annual Great River Swim.

Chiswick Pier Trust event organiser Gill Exton said: “There was a good turn out for the race and also the swim.

“People seemed to hang around and listen to the band and be drinking and eating and generally looking like they were having a jolly good time - what more can an events organiser ask for.”

While on board the River Thames Visitor Centre boat in Richmond live music and a talk by Eel Pie Island resident and inventor or the wind up radio, Trevor Baylis, was held at the relaunch of the Richmond Environmental Information Centre.

To find out more about The Sisterhood’s charity campaign visit sisterhoodchallenge.com.

*Dramatic end to the race - see page 7.

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