MORE than 100 spectators gathered to celebrate the launch of a new racing boat.

The C54 Storm Petrel was launched from Brightlingsea Hard over the Easter weekend.

It is modelled on the Brightlingsea One Design (BOD), a boat designed in 1927 by Robbie Stone.

The BOD has been sailed from the seaside town for which it was named ever since.

The 18 ft, a three-man boat, was adopted by many British clubs during the 1920s and 30s and has seen an enthusiastic revival in recent years.

C54, owned by Alan Hicks, was moulded by White Formula of Brightlingsea, with the joinery elements being completed by Simon Hipkin of Thorpe-Le-Soken.

The mast was supplied by Sailspar in Great Bromley, rigging by Brightlingsea-based Sailing School and Rigging, and sails from UK Sailmakers just over the Suffolk border at Levington.