Thousands of boat race fans will be heading for Putney town centre tomorrow to witness the world famous showdown between Oxford and Cambridge.

Restaurants, pubs and bars in the town centre are expected to enjoy a roaring trade throughout the day from rowing fans.

Many local pubs, bars and restaurants will be offering special attractions, ranging from food to face painting, cocktails, canapés and live music.

The influx of thousands of spectators to Putney's famous riverside means that parking spaces on Putney Embankment have to be suspended.

The suspensions will commence at 8am on Saturday, April 7.

Motorists who park their cars there overnight tomorrow (Friday) will need to move them ahead of Saturday morning's deadline.

Vehicles left in parking bays after this time are likely to be towed away.

Normal parking rules will be reinstated at approximately 6pm on Saturday evening once the spectators and boat trailers have departed.

Numerous signs notifying drivers of the changes have been placed along Putney Embankment.

Residential roads linking Putney Embankment with the Lower Richmond Road will also be closed to all traffic on Saturday apart from residents.

These roads may also be subject to some parking suspensions at junctions to allow emergency vehicles to acess them without being obstructed For more information call the council's parking helpline on (020) 8871 8871.