Marlow is gearing up for what is arguably one of the biggest events in its social calendar – the town regatta – which returns this weekend.

The popular annual event sees crowds of thousands flock to the banks of the River Thames each year for one of the busiest weekends in the town’s history.

Marlow Chamber of Commerce president Aimee Smith said it was a “wonderful community event” that put Marlow on the map.

She said: “It is fantastic for the town and credible.

“In terms of what it might do for businesses, people may wander through the town as part of the atmosphere.

“We undeniably have a huge influx of visitors to Marlow as a result and that’s a wonderful thing.

“It’s a fairly local-based event but it does put Marlow on the map – it gives us an opportunity to showcase who we are and all that we have to offer.”

The 163-year-old rowing event has gone from strength to strength since the reformed committee came together 18 years ago to create the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival, after the original Marlow Regatta moved to Dorney Lake.

Mayor Chris Funnell, who sits on the regatta committee on behalf of the town council, paid tribute to the hard work of mostly volunteers who put the event together each year, saying they had gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to make it “even better”.

He said: “They have got a few new things this year. They make a huge effort to keep us at the top as a prime event.

“Rowing is Marlow. It’s up there with one of the top community events, if not the top.

“It brings people together – Marlovians, ex-Marlovians – and there is something for everyone.

“It’s significant because there has always been a regatta in the town and it’s the biggest social event in Marlow.”

Bringing a new dimension to the weekend will be the introduction of adaptive rowing, with Marlow Rowing Club leading the way in helping more disabled people enjoy the quintessential British sport, and the re-introduction of the grandstand by the finish line, giving more revellers the chance to see the rowers in action.

And alt rock band Toploader will headline the evening concert on Saturday, while rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave will kick off the festivities in the morning.