CANOE teams from across the country have taken to the water in Devizes today to race from Devizes to Westminster, marking the 70th anniversary of the event.

The idea for the race was born out a bet between two scouting groups in 1948. Devizes Scouts took Chippenham Scouts up on a wager that the journey couldn't be done, proved them wrong and in doing so started a tradition hat has lasted 70 years. This year over 500 solo or double canoes are taking part.

Starting on the Kennet and Avon canal, the 124 mile stretch will take canoeists under bridges, through tunnels and even negotiate around 77 locks by jumping onto the river bank.

The route can take anytime between 14 and 30 hours, with most single or doubles finishing in around 20 hours.

Among those is blind Veteran Paul Jacobs, who is hoping for a Guinness Book of Records for being first blind person to complete the race. Crowds gathered on the banks of the canal to cheer him on and mark the start of the 124 mile race at 7am this morning.

Devizes MP Claire Perry and town Mayor Nigel Carter were also at the start line to applaud the sporting teams along.

Mrs Perry said: “The atmosphere here is brilliant. We have people from across the whole country coming to Devizes for this event and every year it gets bigger and better. I always say this is an easier route to Westminster than getting voted in and I would love to take part myself one day.”

Juliet Fookes from Devizes canoe club is canoeing for Great Western Hospitals's Bright Future's charity. She said: “It’s great here, we haven’t had the Beast from the East that was forecast and we don’t mind the rain! I’ve done the competition in the past with another person but it is my first time alone. My goal is to complete it, that will be great in itself."

Matt, a keen solo canoeist from Devizes canoe club added: “Last year I did it with my daughter but this time I am on my own. The conditions are good at the moment.”

Dauntsey’s School was represented by numerous sixth form teams. Martha Holden, Natasha Parks- Tunstall, Georg Enislidis and Thomas Mayne were excited to get on the stretch of water they know well and Martha and Natasha said: “This is our stretch of water that we use regularly. It is our home ground so we know the first part of the route really well. That gives us an advantage.”

Four men are also raising funds for charity My Cancer My Choices.

Ruth Stacey, 28, from Reading is partially sighted and is taking to the water on her own, guided by Jim Lemin in a separate canoe. Miss Stacey has completed the race last year in a two seated canoe but this time is taking on the challenge solo.

She said: “I am really looking forward to it. The rain was due to come at about 9am and then in Hungerford at 12pm so hopefully we will be in front of it the whole way.”

Yesterday junior teams set off cheered on by their parents and class mates.

Beginning in Devizes they will navigate through Pewsey, Hungerford, and Newbury to Reading. From Reading they will follow the River Thames through Henley-on-Thames, Marlow and Kingston before canoeing the final 18 miles through London to Westminster.