THEY were getting into the spirit of things as Bursledon's historic regatta took on a horror movies theme for its 131st year.

Skeletons hung from yardarms, tombstones littered decks and there were enough Dracula's about to keep Buffy the Vampire Slayer in work for weeks.

And the catalogue of things that go bump in the night wasn't restricted to the craft taking part in the traditional water carnival or the land-based children's fancy dress.

Besides the usual rowing, swimming and sculling races, competitors were also invited to take part in a waterborne bat and spoon race, row around the tombstones or get under starter's orders in home made coffins. It all made for a fun-packed afternoon in glorious sunshine for sailors afloat in Bursledon Pool and for the crowds who watched from the famous Jolly Sailor pub and Elephant Boatyard.

The regatta - which can even claim to be a year older than the British Open Golf tournament - has its origins in the friendly rivalry that existed between fishermen, yachtsmen and watermen of the Hamble River who organised races among themselves.

The annual event gained regatta status with representatives of the three famous waterside villages of Swanwick, Bursledon and Warsash organising the river extravaganza. It is still run by a committee of local people representing the three villages and preserves a unique atmosphere as one of the few traditional village regattas to have survived.

Despite weather forecasters predicting rain and strong winds, the event once again proved that the gods usually smile on it.

"We always have good weather. I have been involved for 24 years and have only had rain once," said chairman Martin Bridger who was delighted with the usual high turn out of visitors and competitors. Saturday's grand evening finale featured the magical torchlight parade of dinghies between Land's End Hard and the Elephant Boatyard followed by fireworks.