Crews from more than 70 yachts proved their sea-legs were in good working order as they took part in this year's Sussex Regatta.

While spectators enjoyed a horizon stippled with masts and sails, the hardy sailors braved gusting winds, heavy downpours and choppy seas as they negotiated their way through several races in Eastbourne Bay.

The Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club (SHYC) hosted the event and welcomed members and guests to its new £2 million club house for the first time.

Crews manned boats ranging from 18ft dinghies to 47ft ocean-going yachts in races up to 30 miles long.

There was also live music and good food and drink at the Sovereign Harbour club house during the annual three-day event.

SHYC member Derek Allison said: "The racing was very successful despite some bad weather on Saturday.

"The wind was about Force Seven - equivalent to about 40 miles per hour - and we had steep, lumpy seas but nobody cancelled. They all continued to race and battled through.

"We had lots of positive feedback about the races and the new clubhouse and we're delighted everyone really enjoyed themselves."

He said the ten-year-old club was the youngest on the South Coast and members were very proud to host the prestigious regatta for the second time.

Sailors from Brighton, Newhaven, Rye and Sovereign Harbour yacht clubs and Sussex Yacht Club, based in Shoreham, took part.

Yachts followed triangular shaped courses around the bay as far out as Sovereign Tower, racing at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

Mayor of Eastbourne Councillor Graham Marsden and his wife Kay joined the celebrations last night to present winning crews with their trophies.

Mr Allison said: "We've progressed from very humble beginnings in little more than a wooden hut with 50 members and hosting mini barbecues to raise money to where we are now, with 600 members and this fantastic clubhouse."

The construction of the clubhouse was a joint venture between Sovereign Harbour Marine Ltd, which donated the land, the yacht club, which raised the mortgage, and construction company Freshfield.

The first sod-cutting was exactly one year ago.

The three-storey building comprises of showers, changing rooms and laundry facilities and a retail department to buy and sell boats on the ground floor.

The main clubhouse and bar are on the first floor while the second floor has been fitted as a banqueting suite which can be hired. Mr Allison said: "It was quite a feat to get everything ready in time for 400 or 500 people.

"People were tremendously excited to see the clubhouse finally finished and visitors have been extremely complimentary.

"There's been a real party atmosphere all weekend."

He said the official opening would take place in July.

He said: "We are delighted the weekend has been a wonderful success.

"Obviously we have taken a lot of money in bar sales and the sale of merchandise which will be ploughed back into the club."