Weather postpones Cornish swimming event

The event finishing at the Jubilee Pool dates back to the 1940s

Bad weather forecasts have led to a Cornish swimming event to be postponed by just over two weeks.

Bosses at the Jubilee Pool in Penzance said the Newlyn to Jubilee Pool swim has been moved from this Friday to Saturday 7 September for safety reasons due to the expected poor weather conditions.

The event, dating back to the 1940s, features a short race open to under-16s and adults which starts at 17:15 BST, along with a mile swim setting off an hour later.

Medals were given to category winners and money raised from the swim went back into the pool to help safeguard its future, organisers said.

A statement from the organisers said: "Due to forecasted strong winds and rough sea conditions, for safety reasons we have made the decision to postpone the swim."

Kerry Blewett-Hill, the event's lead organiser, said the weather was a big factor in the races.

"It’s been an interesting summer of weather, so keeping all fingers crossed for light winds," Ms Blewett-Hill said.

The seawater pool in Battery Road is geothermic and uses underground heat to keep it between 30-35C (86-95F).