Time is running out to help mend boats for a town's 176th regatta after they were damaged in a flood.

Gravesend Town Regatta has only three weeks to fix its four skiffs in time for the annual rowing event, after the clubhouse suffered "devastating" damage during Storm Franklin in February.

Chairman Shane Cleaver said: "The flooding was the main cause for the delay. In my limited time with the regatta, it was the worst we have seen in our boat house.

"It pretty much wiped out all of our tools. It took out all our main tools and most of our smaller ones.

"Things have been a bit slow getting the boats back on the water. It has not been the best time."

The boatyard, at the back of the Promenade Café in the Riverside Leisure Area, saw water levels rise up to around chest height.

The charity lost multiple saws, welders, a sound system and power, and that was only re-instated two weeks ago.

Shane said that the society's membership had also fallen and it was now only a third of what it was before the pandemic. It means there are fewer volunteers to help maintain the boats.

The former rower added: "Some of the work is as simple as cleaning and painting. There is not an awful lot of skill needed for some jobs.

"We have always welcomed people to come down and help. It would be great having one or two people doing the maintenance."

On a social media post, the society said: "The Regatta Society is currently struggling to get help with boat maintenance and other jobs around the boatyard.

"The Regatta is now set for August 13 and 14 and we need to ensure the boats are ready for the racing."

The group has four skiffs – light rowing or sculling boats, typically for one person – which have been used for the past 25 years. One is already out on the water with another hopefully being launched next week.

If you would like to help out on the other vessels to get them ready in time, call Ian Stevenson on 07582 876069.

The group is also looking for a carpenter to build a rudder – which helps steer a boat – which was damaged in the storm.

It will be the 176th year of the event and visitors can expect a bit more variety than previous years as Gravesend Rowing Club and Gravesend Sailing Club have also signed up to take part. There will be a mixture of sailing, fine boat, skiff and cutters on the water.