Bursledon'S last regatta of the century sailed towards the next millennium on the crest of a wave.

Packed with spectacular nautical fun and colour, it thrilled the crowds who thronged the shores of the River Hamble settlement.

The Hampshire village, famous for providing the backdrop to the TV blockbuster Howards' Way, showed it had all the nautical know-how to put on a truly memorable festival.

Organisers of the popular 129th regatta were determined to push the boat out to mark the dawn of the new age.

The event - which has its origins in the friendly rivalry that existed between fishermen, yachtsmen and watermen on the Hamble during the last century - was aptly themed A Celebration Of Sail And The Sea Over The Centuries.

The regatta usually takes place on one day - but for this year's special event it was decided to spread the waterborne and land-based events over the weekend.

Regatta secretary Bert Betts said: "Dinghy racing is probably the most popular event this year as many of the yachts are engaged elsewhere."

Sailors took to the water just before 11am on Saturday, when the first yacht race got under way. But the exceedingly calm conditions took the wind out of the sails of the yachts and made racing conditions difficult.

Later, rowers came under starter's orders for a long-distance rowing race along the river.

Revellers danced away the Saturday night to a jazz band in a marquee in a corner of the Elephant Boatyard. A spectacular highlight was the arrival of a flotilla of Old Gaffer sail-ing boats - many of which dated back to the turn of the century.

Young landlubbers had their turn on Sunday with the children's fancy dress parade.

Sisters Zorena and Cassie Foulkes, aged eight and seven respectively, of Riverside Boatyard, Bursledon, sailed home as joint first winners with their Mayflower Pilgrims costumes.

Rivalries were forgotten when sea-farers dressed up their craft for the water carnival where just about anything went.

"People get very ingenious and camouflage their boats to look like anything from a galleon to a coracle," said Mr Betts.

As temperatures soared, people kept cool by plunging into the river with swimming races from the Jolly Sailor to the committee boat.

Later, a flotilla of craft took to the water for the traditional torchlight parade, which spectacularly lit up the night sky.

Organisers were delighted with the response to the last regatta of the cen-tury. A committee spokesperson said: "Having a two-day event is just a one-off to celebrate the coming of the millennium.

"The regatta is so unique and popu-lar that I am sure it will go on for ever.''

This year's finale ended with a fire-works display costing more than £4,000.

"It's the most expensive display we've ever put on. We just wanted to give people something special to remember," said Mr Betts.

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