A record crowd flocked to the River Thames over the weekend as the Marlow Town Regatta returned to the town for 2017. 

More than 4,000 people visitors enjoyed the spectacle from the regatta enclosure on Saturday and revelled in the sunshine. 

A full racing schedule saw races every three minutes from 8am until early evening on the Saturday.

The wind caused at least one boat to be swamped and several broken oars added to the excitement as teams and individual rowers battled for the numerous cups on offer.

Back on dry land, families and friends at 200 picnic pitches visited the Round Table Riverside Bar, had lunch at the Jim Campbell Riverside Dining or enjoyed the sunshine on a rug with a jug of Pimm’s.

A stilt walker, close-up magician and three-piece traditional jazz band entertained the crowds and visited picnic pitches throughout the afternoon.

Spectators and racers are also set to become famous in Germany as a TV crew descended on the event to film a documentary on the South of England, which is set to be aired on German public TV in spring 2018.

Festival Sunday was also blessed with fabulous weather and free entry saw the largest ever crowds enjoying a programme of entertainments in the glorious sunshine. 

The Marlow Dragon Boat Festival took place on the river with 22 teams competing.

The overall winners, Paddler Anderson’s Hoffs, a Baywatch-themed team, won a hotly contested final by only 3/10th of a second with a time of 1.09.72.

The second place team was Seas the Day with a time of 1.10.02 and Rosie's Rainbow in third with 1.11.62. 

During the lunch break, the Accessible Boat Club offered bell boating experiences for those with physical sensory and learning difficulties.

On the riverbank, crowds attended a Churches Together Sunday service at 10.30am and the primary schools choir, which this year included every primary school in Marlow, followed at midday.

The afternoon included falconry displays, dance and circus acts, Punch and Judy, a dog show, the Marlow Orchestra and a mini farm.

Visitors could also have a go on a rowing machines in aid of charity with Naomi Riches, Marlow's very own Paralympian, on hand to keep time, and there were displays and prizes for photography, painting and baking competitions.