CANOE teams from across the country took to the waters for the 70th anniversary of the Devizes to Westminster canoe race this Easter weekend, which was sadly cut short.

Due to the heavy rainfall on Friday and through Friday night raising the water levels on the waterways, the race had to end in Reading as it would be too dangerous to continue to Westminster.

Senior doubles who were due to set off on Saturday morning had the choice to defer their entry to next year or do a split race which meant not rowing overnight because the conditions were to challenging. However, a split race was not possible as weather conditions worsened and the race had to end in Reading.

Canoeists who set off on Friday also could only go as far as Reading.

Ann Slator, secretary at Devizes Canoe Club, said: “As you know the weather on Friday was appalling, it rained all day so we knew river levels were raising. At the meeting the race was still on. The course had been checked by organisers who said it was okay to continue, but because of the amount of rain that fell Friday night and it continued raining, by Saturday morning the river conditions changed and it wasn’t safe to continue.

“Mother nature took over there is nothing more that can be said. Sometimes mother nature will decide what we do.

“There were an awful lot of disappointed people, but that is just the nature of these events."

Of the senior doubles, Steve Bush and Mark Ball decided the best option would be to defer their entry to next year.

Ms Slator, added: "Crews made a decision themselves as to whether they decided if they wanted to do split race or decide not to do it at all. Steve and Mark had trained to race the 125 miles straight through so they decided to defer until next year.”

For results, please visit http://live.opentracking.co.uk/dwrace18/