The Round the World Clipper Yacht Race is underway after a 24-hour delay.

The bad weather over the weekend forced organisers to postpone the start of the 34,000-mile race.

The yachts had been moored at Pier Head in Liverpool for the start of the event, originally planned for Sunday.

On Monday, hundreds of people gathered on either side of the River Mersey to see the fourth Clipper race begin.

'Successful start'

Speaking about the delay Richard Cooper, managing director of Clipper Ventures, said: "It was an awfully difficult decision to make.

"The city of Liverpool has put so much into this race, but we had no choice.

"The weather conditions were very severe."

The eight crews that are taking part in the race, which is held every two years, began with a race lap on the Mersey.

Organisers said the start was a success - and added conditions were "near perfect", with flat water, clear skies and a fresh breeze.

The crews are racing to Lisbon, Portugal for the first leg of the voyage before setting sail for Cuba.

They are aiming to finish in Liverpool next September.