Dozens of people are taking part in an epic canoe race between Devizes and Westminster over the Easter weekend.

More than 140 boats have booked a place in the longest non-stop canoe race in the world, with stage race classes setting off on their first day on Friday morning before the senior doubles start a non-stop journey to the capital on Saturday.

When the internationally-renowned event's organisers faced a £30,000 shortfall after receiving fewer entries than expected this year, generous supporters and local businesses quickly rallied to raise enough money to cover the remaining costs in just three weeks.

The recent wet weather also posed problems, as the Thames has been too tumultuous for the junior participants to train on, so they will who will have to finish at Reading, and the heavy downpours on Thursday have raised water levels on the Devizes canals and caused a faster flow along the River Kennett.

Director and trophy secretary Paul Fielding said: "The weather has caused some challenges on what is normally a very benign canal, it's working its way down the course, but all the crews have got through.

"We're hoping the water will have dropped a bit when the senior doubles start.

"This year has been exceptionally difficult for the organisers and the paddlers, some of whom only got to go on the full route when the rain finally abated two weeks ago.

"Next year, Easter's at the end of April, so it should be better then - if you want to give this a go, that'll be a good time to do it."

Since 2019, the event has seen a sharp drop in the number of entrants, which has significantly impacted revenue, especially as safety costs have gone up fivefold and other organisational costs have doubled.

A last-minute fundraiser saved the day this year and the management team will seek more corporate sponsorship to help secure the race's future.

Mr Fielding added: "The support has been overwhelming, we are really appreciative to everyone who donated and made us financially viable.

"Unlike any other canoe race, there's three types of water in one race -  canal water, a flowing river, and estuary conditions on the tideway - so they have to be prepared for everything and choose the right boat that suits all the sections.

"Right now, there's beautiful blue skies, the wind has died down so the water will be less choppy, and everyone's happier when the sun's out."