ROWERS could become a common sight on the waters around Tiverton following the official launch of the town’s own rowing club on Saturday.

Tiverton Rowing Club has provisional permission to use the Grand Western Canal at weekends and is looking to gain approval to row on a stretch of the River Exe from March to October.

It also hopes to hold a “fun” regatta on the canal this summer.

John Brown, one of the club’s founders, said this week: “Until now we have had to do our rowing in Exeter so this is a great relief.

“We still have a lot of work to do but it would be great if the club really takes off.”

“This week the club bought two double sculls and blades from Westminster School but we are still looking for grants and sponsorship to help us grow.”

Tiverton county councillors Polly Colthorpe and Des Hannon donated money from their community funds to help the club get off the ground.

Cllr Hannon said: "I always enjoy time beside the canal and Tiverton Rowing Club are a friendly bunch of people to meet along the way.

“If you fancy a bit of fun and exercise in beautiful surroundings get in touch and have a go.

“These trial visits to the canal aim to see if rowers can learn basic skills there without causing problems for existing users like anglers and other boats.

“I invite anyone who encounters rowers on the canal in the next few weeks to contact the canal rangers with any feedback they have.

“It will be the canal stakeholders group who decide whether rowing becomes a regular feature of our canal or not and everyone's opinions matter."

Anyone interested in joining the club should contact John Brown at jr_brown@hotmail.com.