A rowing event for the RNLI which was set to take place in Maldon in January has been postponed due to rising Covid cases.

The Maldon Little Ship Club (MLSC) Rowing Race was cancelled last year due to lockdown restrictions, and a surge in Covid cases has forced organisers to postpone the event once again.

The popular community event typically sees rowers and people onboard other boats take to the River Blackwater to raise thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

It has raised nearly £200,000 for the charity since it was first held in Maldon over 40 years ago.

The club decided to postpone the upcoming race, scheduled for 3 January, after deciding it would not be able to fulfil social distancing measures with the large number of visitors expected.

Although the event is outdoors, the clubhouse is used for registration and to coordinate the event to ensure safety on the water.

In a statement, the events committee for MLSC said: "We can assure you that all options for managing the event within and outside of the clubhouse have been considered in detail.

"However, the complexity and responsibility of ensuring the safety of all participants, helpers and spectators, and the potential risk and consequences in this escalating Covid situation, have given the committee no option but to conclude that the event should be postponed until a more stable time in 2022.

"We thank you for supporting the event and hope that you will be able to do so again when it is rescheduled."

Organisers said anyone who has already paid an entry fee will be contacted and their money refunded.

The club hopes to hold a similar event later next year.