WEYMOUTH'S popular charity Dragon Boat race has been postponed until August 2021.

The event, organised by Melcombe Regis Rotary Club, is usually held on the Sunday of August Bank Holiday weekend. But organisers have been forced to pull it as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The lively annual event sees hundreds of participants take to Weymouth Bay as teams paddle their way to the finish line, and is a popular social event that has helped raised thousands for local good causes over the years.

Ian Pye, of the Melcombe Regis Rotary Club, is now looking ahead to next year's race.

He said: "We should be looking forward to one of our biggest fundraising events in a couple of weeks but unfortunately, because of Covid 19, we have had to cancel.

"We will be running the race at the same time next year. It will be even bigger and better."

Melcombe Regis Rotary has continued to hold regular virtual meetings online amid social distancing restrictions.

The club's new president Tim Creed was appointed at a socially-distanced outdoor ceremony after former president Graham Morrison handed over the reins.