In pictures: SAS Hurley Classic returns for another successful event

While half the country was battening down the hatches, thrill seekers in Marlow were celebrating another successful year for the SAS Hurley Classic.

About 1,000 people, including more than 300 competitors were at Hurley Weir for the 27th edition of the annual event.

Kayakers from across the country, and the world, of all ages and abilities were out in force for the two-day competition, which started on Saturday.

And the extra water dumped in the Thames by Storm Angus made sure that entrants for Sunday's programme, which included the freestyle and stand up paddleboard (SUP) categories, got a white-knuckle ride on the raging white water.

Organiser Andrew Jackson was thrilled, saying: "The event has now benchmarked itself as one of the best of its type in the world.

"People come here for a weekend of activity and we encourage people to do something a bit different.

"We started an hour later than normal on Sunday because we had checked out the Environment Agency reports and we knew good things could happen with the water.

"The more water there is, the bigger and the better things get."