Regatta no-row hits club funds

The seafront-based organisation was originally hoping to go ahead with the re-run on Sunday only to learn that the unavailability of first aiders and safety boats is likely to prevent them from doing so.

"As it stands," said club spokesman Matt Mitchell, "we're not able to hold one because we can't get the safety boats and first aiders, unfortunately.

"It's going to be a blow to the club because it's one of the main fund-raising events and at the end of the day we're minus a few hundred quid. We've got the (South Coast) Championships on September 3 which will help, but somehow we will have to try and make up the shortfall."

The Bexhill Regatta, part of the Coast Amateur Rowing Association championship, was originally due to take place on July 24, but was called off owing to unsafe conditions.