Organisers of the event made the devastating decision to cancel the "flights" due to take off from Worthing pier today (Sunday, July 6)at 11am this morning.

According to Sharon Clarke, of Worthing Town Centre Initiative and an organiser of the event, gale force eight winds and a high tide of 6.5metres expected this afternoon meant it was unsafe for it to go ahead.

Around 10 serious flyers - who successfully took to the skies yesterday (Saturday, July 5) in day one of the event - and 24 fun flyers were expected to take the plunge 35ft off Worthing pier.

Strong wind

Sharon said: "We did not want to put anybody at risk and it would have been irresponsible to hold the event.

"The winds were very strong and it was expected the tide would be the highest of the year and cover the whole lower deck of the pier.

"We would have only been able to launch one of our safety boats because of the condititions and this would have put people at risk.

"We are very disappointed it will not be going ahead, but at least day one of the event did. We have learnt a lot from this year which we can use next year.

"I will be having a word with the man upstairs to ask for better weather next year."

Pier closed

Because of the bad weather conditions, Worthing pier will be closed today (Sunday, July 6).

Yesterday (Saturday, July 5) was a different story - despite heavy winds in the morning, the serious flyers took to the skies, watch by thousands of people lining Worthing beach and the pier.

None of them managed to fly 100metres to scoop the £30,000 prize fund, but Ron Freeman, of Northumberland, came the closest with his flight of 85.9metres.

Please see next week's Worthing Herald for the full story and pictures.

Have you taken photographs at Birdman?

Just email sarah.booker@worthingherald.co.uk.

You can also send in pictures from mobile phones.

Just text WHPICS (space) to 07843 500911 with your name and details up to 160 characters.


-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk

Texts cost 25p plus standard network rate.
By supplying your telephone number you are happy to receive SMS/MMS messages from Johnston Press and its approved business partners.
Text EXIT at the end of your message if you do not wish to receive these