Canoeists make a splash on the Avon

BILLY Butler and Jon O’Grady took the honours in gruelling 12-mile canoe race Around Stratford on Saturdday.

Organised by Royal Leamington Spa Canoe Club members Tom Diaper and Billy Blackman, the event, which started and finished at Riverside, involved competitors having to negotiate three weirs on the 12-mile loop around the town and attracted dozens of canoeists including GB sprinter and Olympic hopeful Tom Lusty whose boat was holed which ruled him out of contention.