AROUND 1,500 dedicated rowers took Bewdley by storm for two days of action.

Races came thick and fast on the River Severn at Bewdley Rowing Club's annual regatta.

Although day one was bathed in sunshine, the second day was blighted by the elements.

But that did not stop local club crews performing particularly well, with Stourport taking first place overall and Worcester finishing third.

Competitors from Stourport Boat Club clai-med 15 wins in total, putting them two successes clear of second-placed Oxfordshire outfit Wallingford.

Worcester's third place finish came courtesy of 12 victories.

However, it was a weekend to forget for hosts Bewdley as just a handful of composite victories, and nothing from a team perspective, left them trailing in the wake of other teams.

Among the individuals making a splash were 14-year-old Worcester rower Zoe Thompson, who saw off all in her path to win the junior 14 sculls, while Ally Walker, also from Worcester, won the women's senior IV sculls.

Annie O'Connell, part of the event's organising team, said the regatta had been an overall success although the wet weather on the second day accounted for a low crowd turn-out.