CLUBS from near and far converged on Worcester for the city's annual Head of the River regatta.

The event, organised by Worcester Rowing Club and held on the River Severn between Bevere Island and Diglis, was being staged for the first time in three years after high river levels forced cancellations in 2001 and 2002.

The event attracted around 650 competitors from several different clubs, with entries including Yarm School in Yorkshire and Hampton School in London.

It also acted as trials for next month's London Head, held on the University Boat Race course on the River Thames.

Racing was held in two divisions, and it was the local clubs who took most of the honours.

The host club Worcester earned five first places and clocked the fastest time of the day - 18 minutes 26.55 seconds - with their open elite eight crew.

King's School Worcester were not far behind with four victories.

Local winners:

Open Senior 2 quadruple sculls - King's School Worcester.

Open Elite coxless fours - Hereford RC.

Women's Senior 3 eights - King's School Worcester.

Open Veteran D eights - Bewdley RC.

Open Veteran C coxed fours - Hereford RC.

Women's Junior quadruple sculls - Worcester RC 'B'.

Women's Junior 15 coxed quadruple sculls - Worcester RC.

Open Veteran E coxed fours - Upton RC.

Women's Junior 14 coxed quadruple sculls - King's School Worcester.

Open Elite eights (S. Layton Shield) - Worcester RC.

Open Senior 1 eights - Worcester RC.

Open Junior quadruple sculls - Evesham RC.

Open Junior 16 quadruple sculls - King's School Worcester.

Women's Junior coxed fours - Evesham RC.

Women's Senior 3 coxed fours - Worcester RC.