A NEW event will be held in place of the cancelled Old Leigh Regatta.

The Lions Club of Leigh have confirmed a one-day community event will replace the regatta, which was scheduled for the weekend of September 13 and 14.

The event will feature many of the same attractions at the original regatta, such as live music, boat races and the Salvation Army band.

Old Leigh Regatta, which was set for its 41st year, had previously been held to raise money for the Leigh Scout community, but the Lions Club’s new Leigh Regatta will be run for the benefit of the whole community.

Tony Prior, chairman of the club’s activities committee, said: “We would be interested to hear from any individual volunteers or local businesses or organisations prepared to offer their services.”

The club has support from traders in the old town as well as Southend Borough and Leigh Town councils.