Cambridge triumph over Oxford in 162nd Boat Race

Wind and rain lashed down on the River Thames as thousands of people braved chilly conditions to see Cambridge win the 162nd Boat Race.

Lightning had struck ahead of the annual Oxford-Cambridge university duel.

The sky cleared, leaving a nasty chill in the air as spectators lined the banks of the four-and-a-quarter mile course in London.

Uniformed police patrolled Hammersmith Bridge, one of the favourite viewing spots, as families and dog walkers joined spectators, some of whom had nipped out of the nearby pubs for a glimpse of the famous race.

Loud cheers rang out as spectators watched from the big screens set up on the river bank.

Sandra Gibson, from Lincolnshire, wondered if "anyone else felt seasick" just watching the contest as the rowers powered through the choppy River Thames.

Organisers estimate that more than 250,000 people lined the course to cheer on the rowers, while millions more watched on television.

There was some joy for TV presenter and Cambridge alumna Carol Vorderman, who tweeted: "No pressure @Cambridge_Uni but I've already opened the bottle...go Light Blues."

This was followed by: "YAYYYYYYYYYYYY ....... wonderful Cambridge win ... my god I love that place .... congratulations Light Blues ...."

The four-and-a-quarter mile course starts from Putney Bridge, travelling on to its midway point at Hammersmith and moving through Barnes before finishing at Chiswick Bridge.

For the second year in a row, the women's boat race took place on the same day as the men's.

Oxford claimed its fourth women's victory in a row as Cambridge narrowly avoided sinking.

Scotland Yard said it had not received any reports of protests or incidents at the event.