CREWS taking part in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race over the Easter weekend are keeping their fingers crossed that the weather will be kind for the 70th anniversary of the 125 mile challenge.

A number of crews of all ages from Devizes Canoe Club will be taking to the water and chairman Kevin Dobson is hoping the Easter weather will be easier than that created for training by the Beast From The East.

He said: ""We wish all our club crews well over the Easter weekend. They have faced some challenging weather conditions during the six months of training this year with the club, with snow, strong cold headwinds and frozen canals. We hope that despite it being an early Easter, the weather will be a bit kinder to them."

Among the Devizes crews tipped for success is the pair of Steve Bush and Mark Ball who are going in the senior doubles category. Mr Dobson said: "Both paddlers have completed the senior doubles race before but with different partners. They are a strong crew and hoping for a sub-20 hour time and a good final placing."

Carpenter Mr Bush, 33, and school teacher Mr Ball, 47, will be aiming for a new club record. Mr Bush said: "We are not there just to take part. We are hoping to do a good time. We have been training together in the canoe three times a week and also going to the gym."

Taking it slightly more leisurely will be mums Katherine Marsha and Claire Smith in the Endeavour class. Mr Dobson said: "Last year they supported their children doing the race and decided to have a go themselves. Following successful completion of the club's introduction to paddle sport course they have been training with the club for the last six months in preparation for this year's race."

Club instructor Juliet Fooks is competing in the K1 senior singles and will be raising money in memory of a friend who died from cancer in 2014.

She is being sponsored for the Brighter Futures Radiotherapy Appeal at Great Western Hospital, Swindon but her training has proved a testing time as in recent weeks has suffered from flu undergone a spinal MRI scan and a deer running into her car.

She said: "Having got through three awful things, it is going to be sheer grit and determination for me to complete."

Devizes Mayor Nigel Carter will help mark the 70th anniversary of the race by holding a civic lunch at the town hall on Thursday for a number of people connected to the event.

Teams of students from Dauntsey's School, West Lavington and Marlborough College will be competing in the race which starts from The Wharf, Devizes on Good Friday.