Christmas dip off due to red tape

WESTON-SUPER-MARE’S annual RNLI Christmas Day dip has been cancelled this year – due to red tape.

The RNLI Christmas Day Dip has been a highlight of the town’s calendar for many years, with many braving the chilly waters of Marine Lake before tucking into their turkey dinner.

But this year tight timescales have meant the RNLI is unable to meet the necessary health and safety regulations needed for the event to go ahead.

RNLI spokesman Cai Budd said: “For the event to go ahead there would need to be a full health and safety risk assessment carried out.

“The lake has been closed a number of times this year and we cannot now get this done in the timescale available.

“There is also some concern about the amount of silt which remains in the lake and the potential for someone to get stuck. However, we have plenty of time to get all the procedures in place and plan for the swim to return next year.”

The event used to raise money for the RNLI as a result of donations from swimmers.