THOUSANDS of people lined York’s river banks and bridges to see the York 800 flotilla of boats make its way along the Ouse.

Crowds lined the riverside areas and the Millenium, Skeldergate, Ouse and Lendal bridges and beyond yesterday, to watch hundreds of boats, of varying shapes and sizes, one of which carried the Paralympic Lantern.

Among the sports people in the flotilla were crews of disabled sailors from Sunderland and York in Canadian canoes.

The canoes were followed by larger boats and narrow boats and barges.

The flotilla had orginally been planned for July 8, during Charter Weekend, but had to be postponed at that time because of high river levels after prolonged heavy rain.

The city’s civic party were aboard the first boat to appear yesterday and were moored at King’s Staith from which they judged the best dressed boat, the winner of which was called Shambles.

The Lord Mayor, Coun Keith Hyman , said while judging: “It’s great, after having missed out on July 8. It will be difficult to make the decision but we are getting help from the audience.

“The turnout is absolutely brilliant.”