NOISE and colour came to the River Thames as hundreds lined the banks to cheer on teams of boat racers.

Thirteen teams of canoeists took part in the second annual Bangladesh river race, called the Nowka Bais, at the Falcon Rowing Club, Donnington Bridge, Oxford, on Sunday.

About 1,000 people enjoyed the spectacle of traditional Bangladeshi canoes, traditional music, dancing and food – and cheered on the competitors.

Organiser and businessman Aziz Rahman, of the Oxford Bangladeshi Boat Club, said the race was the only event of its kind outside of Bangladesh.

He added: “The Thames is such a beautiful river and usually enjoyed only by boat clubs and university students. It’s unusual for ethnic minorities to be out on the water in Oxford.

“We brought over these traditional racing boats from Bangladesh and planned to make the event as attractive as possible.

“It’s a sport that has been celebrated for hundreds of years in Bangladesh. Now we have brought it to the Thames.

“There’s singing and dancing and the race brings more noise and excitement to the river than the usual boat races we see.

“It’s a spectacular sight, as anyone who saw it would surely agree. It was an exciting day. And it is becoming bigger each year.

“Oxford offers diversity and culture and this race is all about celebrating that.”

Thirteen teams took part with two from Oxford – including the Bengal Tigers, pictured, three from London and one each from Witney, Chipping Norton, Burford, Cheltenham, Swindon, Newbury, Northampton and Luton.

Crews of 10 per canoe included nine rowers and a drummer.

The Pride of Asia, from London, won £500, gold medals and The Aziz Rahman Cup after beating Cheltenham in the final.

Peter Travis, joint chairman of the OBBC, said: “We have seen many boat races in Oxford but nothing as colourful and exciting as this, it’s magnificent.

“The music and the traditional racing costumes brought a whole new splendid spectacle to Oxford.”