WINDSURFERS from all three armed services will be fighting out their national championships at Whitstable over the weekend.

Representatives from the Royal Air Force, Army and Royal Navy will be descending on the town after a last-minute plea for help to Whitstable Yacht Club. The organisers, the RAF, have encountered an unexpected problem staging the event elswhere.

Whitstable YC sailing administrator Mike Fitzpatrick said: "When I said they would be very welcome without any hesitation they seemed somewhat surprised, but we have extended our own season this year and everything is still in place to hold an event like this."

Mr Fitzpatrick said the club were expecting between 35 and 40 competitors and would be loaning the RAF whatever equipment it needed, including a committee boat.