The banks of the river Thames will be bursting with regatta revellers once again as the annual “party” returns next month.

Preparations are well underway for the return of the historic Marlow Town Regatta and Dragon Boat Festival to Higginson Park on June 10 and 11.

The traditional summer party will see Marlovians flock to the riverside park to enjoy champagne, picnics and entertainment in the sunshine from within the regatta enclosure while competitors complete a 1km rowing race along the Thames.

David Hudson, who sits on the management committee for the regatta and festival, said the enclosure will see “200 mini parties” going on throughout Saturday.

He said: “There has been a regatta on the river since 1855 so it has a large amount of history and tradition that we are trying to uphold.

“So far, we have sold about 80 per cent of our picnic pitches. There will effectively be 200 mini parties going on, with food stalls and rowing going on on the river. It is basically one big party along the river.

“It is the largest one day regatta, probably in the world.”

Saturday will see the Riverside Bar run by Marlow Round Table with all proceeds going to local charities and good causes.

As well as the popular picnic area, visitors can expect musical entertainment provided by Marlow FM and a host of food stalls.

On Sunday, the Dragon Boat Festival kicks off on the river at 9.30pm, with free entry for spectators as the park is filled with family entertainment - including a dog show, duck herding, Borlase School Choir, Marlow Primary Schools Choir and Kobika Dance Starlites.

From 10.30am, there will be a joint churches open-air Sunday service, with entertainment starting at 12pm.

Hundreds of competitors are expected to take part in the festival, which has recently seen as many as 400 participants in over 30 teams compete.

The regatta will once again be opened at 10am on Saturday morning by Sir Steve and Lady Redgrave, who are joint presidents of the event.

Mr Hudson said the prestigious event is “very important” to Sir Steve.

He added: “He talks about the regatta as the thing that got him into rowing when he was a Great Marlow Schoolboy. Sir Steve and his family are very passionate about the regatta and it will be great to have him there again.”

Despite a series of high profile events in the town, the regatta is going from strength to strength this year.  

Mr Hudson added: “We are up on sales even though we have had Pub in the Park. Around 4,500 people came last year. This time last year we had sold about 75 per cent of our pitches but this year it is 80 per cent.

"It keeps on growing every year so we must be doing something right. It really is a fabulous weekend.”