TOP Welsh rowers from Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls had a new cox for the day - in the shape of TV presenter Sara Edwards.

The girls, who were the only Welsh team to win any awards at the recent Home Countries International, were joined by the BBC Wales news presenter as part of a documentary on the River Wye.

Sara, who has never been rowing before, put on a buoyancy aid and joined the girls in the rowing eight to become the crew's new cox.

As the crew left the steps of Monmouth Rowing Club, Lucy Gould, the school's regular cox, gave the presenter some last-minute advice. Everything went smoothly under her control.

The television crew followed behind the rowers in a motor launch, as they filmed the girls, with Sarah steering, rowing up the river in the pouring rain.

Sarah said on her return that it was a good experience and could see why the girls enjoyed the sport so much. She said: "Wales should also be proud of the achievements obtained by the girls from Monmouth in national competitions."

Mark John, producer of the Rivers of Wales series being made for the BBC, said they were trying to capture all aspects of life on the River Wye.

He said: "Rowing is just one example of life on this river, and the crew from HMSG shows just what can be achieved by making good use of it."

The programme is scheduled for broadcast in the autumn.