A BANGLADESHI boat race drew crowds to Donnington Bridge as rowers battled it out on the River Thames.

Organiser Mohammed Mannan, from Cowley, hailed yesterday’s Falcon Rowing Club race a success. He said: “It went very well and it was very well attended.

“There were about 600 or 700 people there and the weather was good as well, so everybody enjoyed it.

“This was the fifth year and it is getting bigger and bigger every year.

“Our community doesn’t have many opportunities to come together and have fun and it’s a chance to promote our culture.”

The race was won by a team from Reading and the funds raised will provide swimming and rowing lessons for children.