Sailors from West Mersea scooped the top three prizes at a unique 150-mile race from the River Thames to their home town.

A fleet of 33 yachts started off in glorious sunshine from Tower Bridge in London at midday on Friday, then headed out to the North Sea and the Blackwater Estuary, before reaching Mersea.

The race was organised by the West Mersea Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and was the only offshore race starting from this point in London in living memory.

The yachts, from the Continent and east of England, travelled overnight with the first arriving at 2.40am on Saturday.

In first place was West Mersea Yacht Club commodore Frank Reed with Tramp, followed by Crusader and Richard and Louise Matthews, with David Chatterton and Josh Warren with Sensor in third place.

Mr Reed won a variety of cups and awards for his achievment including the John Catt Salver, Hugh Ellis Cup and West Mersea Yacht Club centenary cup.

It was organised as part of the yacht club's centenary, and regatta week starts next weekend.

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