Edinburgh's student rowers will have bragging rights for the next year as they beat rivals Glasgow in the main events of their annual boat race.

Edinburgh's male and female teams won the main 2.7km races on the River Clyde in Glasgow from the Kingston Bridge to the Tall Ship.

It was a particularly sweet victory for the men who last won the race in 1999.

There were six races on the water in total with Edinburgh winning the male reserve race and Glasgow winning the female equivalent. Former Glasgow University students proved to be the best of the previous generations as both male and female teams won the alumni races.

Olympic rowing champion Katherine Grainger started the 1st VIII male and female races, for the 136th Glasgow-Edinburgh University boat race.

The gold medallist, herself a former competitor, said she was delighted to be asked to officiate at the annual battle on the Clyde.

Hundreds of people gathered in the sunshine beside the Tall Ship and the Riverside Museum to watch the climax of the races.

Organiser Lee Boucher from Scottish Rowing said: "There was a really big turnout, it's a fantastic venue alongside the Riverside Museum and obviously having Catherine here today meant lots of people came along.

"This is the first year it has been held in the middle of the city and this sort of venue lends itself to an event of this magnitude, it's the second oldest university boat race in this country after the Oxford-Cambridge race so from that perspective it's a big deal for the students.

"There were lots of people in a jubilant mood and others in tears, it means a lot to these guys."

The main races passed under four bridges along the course while the alumni races were held over a shorter 500m distance.

A race for those learning how to row was also held on indoor rowing machines, which Edinburgh won.

Mr Boucher added: "Edinburgh hold the bragging rights for the next 12 months, Glasgow will be a wee bit hurt, particularly the guys because they've won the race every year since 1999 so there was pressure on them to perform but I'm sure they'll come back stronger."

Grainger said: "I've competed in it as an undergraduate and also as a graduate so it is lovely to be back supporting it from the banks this time.

"It's a fantastic event and as a graduate of both Edinburgh and Glasgow universities it was good see great battles on the water."