ATROCIOUS weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of those at Heybridge Regatta this weekend as the event proved a big success.

The weekend of racing was hit by heavy rainstorms and a fair amount of hail.

The regatta still manage to draw in crowds in the hundreds though, as residents turned out to the annual event.

Jenny Sjollema, of Spinnaker Drive, Heybridge, was one of the event organisers.

She said: “Apart from the weather it was a very good weekend.

“We had some atrocious rain and hail storms.

“A couple of people gave up because of the weather. It all came down whilst people were out racing which wasn’t ideal.

“The good thing was, the weather didn’t really come in till quite late so we had a lot of people come down early in the day and take shelter in the marquees and pubs when the storms hit.

“We still had about 500 or 600 people which is about half what we would have got on a clear day but still good going.”

The weekend’s activities included a flower, cake and photography competition, a range of stalls, and the racing.

Some of the rowing races had to be put on hold because of the weather but most still went ahead.