AN ANNUAL regatta will be marking its 150th anniversary this bank holiday weekend.

Swanwick, Bursledon and Warsash Regatta will take place on August 24 from 12.30pm at the Elephant Boatyard.

The event has its origins in the "friendly rivalry" that existed between fishermen, yachtsmen and watermen of the Hamble River.

On the day, revellers are encouraged to wear fancy dress but there will be no children’s competition this year due to fewer entrants in recent years.

There will be a bar, tea, refreshments, a BBQ, whisky and wine raffle, as well as children's games tombola on offer.

On-the-water- events will start at 2pm with a traditional boatyard gig race.

The water carnival will start at around 3.30pm with the theme this year inspired by the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing.

This will be followed by a prize-giving for dinghy races and a pig roast and bar in Elephant Yard

Once prizes have been given out, there will be a torchlight parade where a chain of dingies will be tied and towed together whilst being illuminated by torches.

There will be a fireworks display to light up the skies at 9pm.

No entry forms are required for anyone wanting to participate in any of the races but, children younger than 14-years-old must wear a life jacket to take place in any water events or races.

There is no parking on the regatta site and limited parking in the surrounding area

Last year hundreds of people got into the regatta's party spirit with an Australian theme inspired to celebrate explorer James Cook who first discovered the country 250-years-ago.

For more information contact bursledonregatta@gmail.com.