TORRENTIAL downpours and thundery storms hit an annual fundraising boat race yesterday but it didn’t dampen spirits as residents took to the waters.

The Oxford Bangladeshi Boat Club hosted its fifth boat race at Meadow Lane’s Falcon Rowing and Canoe Club.

Event organisers had hoped up to ten teams would take part but the weather prevented many from attending.

Club chairman Peter Travis, 73, said: “There’s a number of things we can’t work with, particularly lightning, but I wasn’t disappointed.”

Two teams of youngsters aged between seven and 19 from Oxfordshire Sea Cadets took to the River Thames first.

The girls team lost twice to their male competitors after beating them initially.

But the bad weather forced the youngsters off the water until the sunshine returned.

An Oxford Bangladeshi team later competed against a second Bangladeshi team formed of Witney and Eynsham residents.

Councillor Farida Anwar brought her family to the event.

She said: “I feel very proud. It’s our culture and it’s very very ancient. This is a great thing for the people.”

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