World rowing championships start on Isles of Scilly

Rowers from across the world are taking part in the 28th World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly this weekend.

Crews coming from as far as Holland, Bermuda and the USA are expected to take part but most of the competitors will come from the South West.

The sport comes from a tradition where local men would row out to guide ships through the treacherous waters off the Isles of Scilly and Cornish coast.

They would be well paid for their efforts so racing the boats became competitive.

Wooden pilot gigs with six oars are still built in Cornwall and there are regular racing events held across the South West.

The event is very popular and with hoteliers saying there are no more beds available on St Mary's. But far from complaining, David Jackson from the Islands' Partnership says the event brings in more than one million pounds to the islands.

Three events will take place over the weekend starting with the veterans' race, followed by the men's and women's races on Saturday and Sunday.

Watch Andrea Bishop's full report