SIR Steve Redgrave is set to switch boats to race in a canoe at this year's Marlow Town Regatta.

A ban on jeans, trainers and casual wear in the enclosure, free access on Sunday and the first ever canoe races are among the changes to this year's event.

A smart dress code has been reintroduced for the town's social show piece occasion, which will take place on June 8 and 9 in Higginson Park.

Announcing the changes, The Marlow Town Regatta and Festival Committee told the Marlow Free Press: "This year a 'look smart' dress code is to be re-introduced by popular demand into the enclosures on the Saturday only, which for men will mean jackets, trousers and collared shirts, and for the ladies dresses or tops with skirts or trousers. No jeans /denims or trainers will be permitted in the enclosures on Saturday.

"As always the Marlow Town Regatta & Festival Committee is seeking to introduce changes and improvements to make the whole weekend more enjoyable for all the spectators and this year most of these changes are on the Festival Day on Sunday when access to all the enclosures will be free for the first time  and the visitors will  only need to pay for car parking and the dress code is casual."

The organisers said: "This year there will also be the extra excitement of the mad dash canoe races organised for the day by the Longridge Canoe Club, and there's still time to enter.

"These races will all be interspersed with each other to make it more exciting and we expect  that Sir Steve Redgrave will be in at least one canoe race, perhaps with some other Olympic canoeists and celebrities.

Tickets on sale now via www.marlowtownregatta.org or Marlow information centre and on the day.

The line up

Saturday - Regatta & Garden Party Day
•           Full day's rowing time table
•           Opening ceremony at 10am (planned for Sir Steve/Lady Ann to open the event)
•           Marlow FM live broadcasting and band line up
•           Picnics in the Jim Campbell Enclosure, riverside lawn and putting green areas a total of over 200 picnic pitches
•           Licensed bar operated by Marlow Round Table
•           Pimms Bar operated by Marlow Ladies Circle
•           Trade and food stalls

Sunday - Festival Day
•           Free entrance to public
•           No dress code
•           Dragon boat races
•           Canoeing regatta (First Time Ever)
•           Commentary and broadcasts by Marlow FM
•           Trade, food and craft stalls
•           Various shows and displays from 1pm onwards