MORE than 250 paddlers took to the water for Banbury’s annual canoe marathon race on Sunday.

Participants raced between two and 12 miles on the Oxford Canal, with entries ranging from under-10s up to international competitors.

It was organised by Banbury and District Canoe Club, which is based in Cropredy.

Solihull resident Tom Lusty won the main Division 1 race, with BDCC member Joe Peterson coming second in the Division 2 event.

BDCC secretary Siobhan Urquhart, from Swalcliffe, said: “We had fantastic support this year. There were people cheering from canal boats and the towpath, which made for a great atmosphere.

“This is the first time we’ve had such quality canoeists, including ones that have just recently been competing in world championships.

“This year has been a boost in terms of quantity and quality, and we believe it is the challenge of competing on the Thames that makes this race so attractive.”