Ilfracombe are the top team at first Taw and Torridge Gig Regatta

FIVE race wins earned Ilfracombe the overall title at the first North Devon Taw and Torridge Pilot Gig Regatta.

The Torridge and Barnstaple clubs joined forces to stage the event, setting a challenging course that took the rowers into both rivers.

Visitors from Cornwall and Dorset joined the North Devon clubs but it was Ilfracombe who dominated, winning the men's and ladies' A races, both veterans contests and the mixed race.

Torridge took the B races and Bridport's juniors came out on top in the under-14 and under-16 sections.

The course took the boats parallel to Instow and into the mouth of the Taw before turning back into the Torridge to finish at Instow beach.

Jon Ellwood, the chairman of Barnstaple Pilot Gig Club, said: "There have been many months of planning, organisation and hard work by both clubs, which have culminated in a very successful day.

"I hope the North Devon Taw and Torridge Regatta will go on to be a popular event within the gig racing calendar."

Before the regatta started, Barnstaple launched their new plastic training gig.

It is the third boat in the club's flotilla and was purchased with a £10,000 grant from Sport England.

Sha Jones bought the naming privilege and dubbed the boat Phillipa J after her daughter, Phillipa Jane, who wetted the bow with local ale.

Clubs are now in training for the Newquay County Championships in September.