RYDE Rowing Club's annual regatta has been cancelled ­— though organisers are working to arrange an alternative date.

The club's annual Hants and Dorset ARA Championship Regatta was scheduled for May 15, but the plug has been pulled over Covid restrictions and sink hole disruption.

Stephen Bull for the club said: "Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, and guidance from our governing body ­— British Rowing ­— it will not be possible to go ahead with our event in May.

"It is a problem that has been further compounded by the ongoing activities of Southern Water investigating and seeking to repair the sink hole that appeared near the clubhouse.

"It has caused much disruption in the area around the clubhouse and along the seafront where the regatta takes place.

"The club is actively pursuing alternative dates later in the summer when the Government Covid-19 regulation may be relaxed, and British Rowing gives approval for the resumption of competitions.

"However, the other Hants and Dorset ARA fixtures, the summer season, and the on-going activities of Southern Water around the clubhouse and along the seafront, may well make this impossible.

"We may be forced to cancel the regatta for the second year running.

"One possible alternative date being considering is Saturday, August 7."