The streets of Old Leigh were filled with thousands of visitors for the first time in five years as the celebrated and sorely missed Regatta made a triumphant comeback.

With an estimated 10,000 people showing out to Old Leigh across the weekend, the regatta has been hailed a “seamless” success by organisers who have been left overjoyed at the continued popularity of the event.

Party - The Old Leigh Regatta Party - The Old Leigh Regatta (Image: Laurence Dennis)

Regatta chairman Marcus Dean said there are “too many highlights to mention”.

He said: “It has been really cool. There have been too many highlights to mention, but it is hard not to talk about the fantastic Denise van Outen.

DJ Denise - Denise van Outen on the DJ decks DJ Denise - Denise van Outen on the DJ decks (Image: Laurence Dennis)

"She set the tone and read the room, executing her show perfectly.

“It was great and there was definitely a mix of those who had never heard of the event and people who had been coming along since they were children.

Mud football - Fun footy on the estuary mudMud football - Fun footy on the estuary mud (Image: Laurence Dennis)

“My absolute biggest highlight is seeing the community together in celebration.”

Mr Dean also thanked the 100 people who volunteered across the two days, with a core 30 people making sure the event “went down seamlessly” for visitors.

Highlight - Denise van Outen's DJ set Highlight - Denise van Outen's DJ set (Image: Jean-Marc Poilpré)

He added: “A huge thank you to those who have been with us and making things so successful.”