With a spectacular fireworks display the 179th Port of Dartmouth Regatta drew to a close.

A week of highly competitive racing, fun on the water and special attractions such as the Royal Naval guard ship HMS Cattistock and the return of PS Waverley for the first time this century joining local paddle steamer PS Kingswear Castle for her 100th birthday celebrations.

Dartmouth Mayor Cllr David Wells said: “The events have gone extremely well. I commend the Regatta Committee who put on a really good show.

“It was nice to see the Royal Navy guard ship supporting the town and the Kingswear Castle and Waverley Coming in.”

“The Regatta is all about rowing and sailing and both the river and the sea are the true stars.

Starting with the rowing and there are local, WEARA (West of England Amateur Rowing Association) and pilot gig competitions.

The first-class sailing regatta is for yachts, keelboats, sportsboats and dinghies.

It is organised by the Joint Sailing Regatta Committee. The event costs over £180,000 a year to stage and organisers rely on sponsors, traders and public donations.

There is no charge to watch the various events. There were over 250 sailing yachts entered for the racing at Start Bay and over 300 races and events during Regatta week.

These include 50 rowing heats and around 600 people take part in the races.

The first recorded regatta locally was in 1822 and the 180th Port of Dartmouth Regatta is set to begin on Thursday, August 28, next year.