PUBLIC reaction to a regatta rowing appeal has been oarsome – thanks in part to the Dartmouth Chronicle.

Within a fortnight of the appeal, almost all the new oars for the regatta's whalers have found sponsors

The rowing committee spent £1,750 buying 10 replacement oars for the boats which are part of the annual regatta spectacle as crews of up to eight rowers battle it out down the Dart.

Rowing sub committee spokesman Kevin Pyne said that since the appeal appeared in the Chronicle sponsors had stepped up to take on eight of the 10 oars.

He said that one business in the town had sponsored two of the oars, while a local builder had sponsored another and the rest were sponsored by families who want to see an oar named for a 'departed loved one'.

'People have been absolutely great,' said Kevin.

For the full story see this week's Dartmouth Chronicle