Barges battled it out in the Thames Barge Match at the weekend.

The annual event, the first of which took place in 1863, is the world’s second oldest organised sailing race after the America’s Cup.

Competitors set sail from Lower Hope Reach off Stanford-le-Hope in Essex.

The finish line is usually near St Andrew’s Gardens next to the Three Daws in Gravesend.

In the coasting class, Cambria came first, completing the course in just under two hours.

It was followed by Lady of the Lea and Reminder.

Cambria recently received a £1.4 million restoration and won in 2011 and 2012.

In the champion staysail class, Niagara came first, followed by Repertor, Edith May and Wyvenhoe.

In the champion bowsprit class, first place went to Edme, Mirosa in second and Xylonite in third.

Prizes were presented by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to circumnavigate the globe under sail.

He is also the oldest solo circumnavigator when he did it aged 68 in 2007.

This year’s event - now is its 150th year - was in memory of Captain Mark Boyle, the organising secretary of the Thames Sailing Barge Match, since it was revived by him to celebrate the 50th anniversary of VE Day in 1995.

He died last year aged just 55.