A REGATTA with a history dating back to the 18th century which drew crowds of more than 10,000 visitors has been cancelled after the organisers were unable to obtain insurance.

A REGATTA with a history dating back to the 18th century which drew crowds of more than 10,000 visitors has been cancelled after the organisers were unable to obtain insurance.

The Woodbridge Regatta was scheduled to take place on the River Deben on August 3 and the Woodbridge Regatta Association had lined up an exciting programme including a river rescue by members of the Royal Artillery Parachute Display Team.

But the association found out that public liability insurance could only be found for land-based events and it was decided there was no point having a regatta if there were no water activities.

Susan Annett, association chairman, said: ''It is actually a Woodbridge and District Lions Club event and we can come under their blanket insurance policy which is fine for all land events.

"There was not a problem with public liability for land events. But it was what happened on the river that we could not get insurance for and this would have been for members of the public using the river.

''There would have been no greasy pole, no crabbing, no rowing competition and no boat trips which are very, very popular. Everybody is bitterly disappointed.''

The association is now paying back a £250 grant to the town council. The parachute display team and river-based clubs have their own insurance.

Last year's regatta was one of the best in recent years. The combination of new events and hot weather brought visitors flocking to the town. In 1997 the regatta was scrapped when no one would organise the event.