ABOUT 600 schoolchildren took to the water to compete in Worcester’s annual bell boating regatta.

The popular event was one of 10 across Worcestershire in the space of four weeks as pupils battled for honours on the River Severn.

Ten Worcester primary schools took part in a series of finals with a crew from St Barnabas seeing off competition from Pitmaston, Cherry Orchard and Claines to clinch the overall title.

Youngsters from Hollymount, Oldbury Park, Whittington, Carnforth, Lyppard Grange and Nunnery Wood also took up the challenge.

Canoeist Andy Train, who competed in five Olympic Games in the 1980s and 1990s, is chairman of Fladbury Paddle Club who organise the regattas.

“There are bell boats around the world but Worcestershire is like a central hub as hundreds of schools take part,” Train said.

“This year’s event did go better than expected.

“Due to the amount of children taking part and races to get through there can be quite a bit of pressure on.

“But we managed to finish ahead of time so we held a special race where we had a child from each school in each boat competing in a little distance race which brought everyone together.

“The whole regatta season was the best we have ever had due to the perfect weather we have had over the past few weeks.”