WEYMOUTH Rowing Club has been forced to cancel its annual regatta this Sunday.

Club officials said they made the decision with regret but felt they had no choice because of a lack of support from visiting crews.

The regatta, which is supported by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and local businesses, has become an annual fixture in the Whitsun bank holiday calendar.

Last year about 600 competitors from all over the south sest took part in the racing event in Newton's Cove in brightly coloured six-man Cornish pilot gigs.

Club spokesman Sarah Fennell explained that because last year was a points event involving different categories of racing there were dozens of teams.

This year however, the Cornish Pilot Gig Association, the sport's governing body, decided to split up the categories which meant that Weymouth could only hold a veterans' championship.

Mrs Fennell said: "We knew that this would affect numbers but it got to a stage where we decided it was not worth all the effort.

"We don't wish to let anyone down but we faced a situation where we would be paying out rather than raising any money.

Mrs Fennell said Weymouth was regarded as a top spot for gig racing and the club hoped to stage the regatta again next year.

The grand draw will still be held as tickets have already been sold.

For tickets call 01305 816767.