THOUSANDS of people lined the banks of the Thames to watch the annual Boat Race - and this time the only major talking point, apart from the contest itself, was the unseasonably cold weather.

Last year's race was famously disrupted by protester Trenton Oldfield, who jumped in the water and swam between the two teams. But there was no such disruption in the latest edition of the famous Oxford/Cambridge battle - the 159th - and not even the freezing conditions stopped yet another large crowd congregating in vantage points including Bishop's Park in Fulham and Furnivall Gardens in Hammersmith.

Visitors enjoyed a beer tent and food village while being able to watch the historic four-mile race, which dates back to 1829, on giant screens, while family activities included a bouncy castle and face painting.

The spoils went to Oxford, who won the toss, chose the southern Surrey station, and built an immediate lead, securing victory by a length-and-a-third in 17 minutes 27 seconds, their ninth win in the last 14 editions of the race.