BRITISH GAS GREAT NORTH SWIM CANCELLED

Nova International has today announced that the British Gas Great North Swim , which was originally due to be staged at Lake Windermere on the 4 and 5 September, has been cancelled after assurances about the quality of the water at the Lake District venue could not be secured.

As of today (Tuesday 7th September) at 11.20 a.m. signs posted up by the Environment Agency, South Lakeland District Council and the Health Protection Agency are at various locations on the shores of Windermere warning of toxic algae and the organisers were therefore reluctantly left with no choice but to cancel the event. David Hart, Communications Director of Great Swim, said, “We are profoundly disappointed not to be able to stage the Great North Swim this year but the welfare of competitors is paramount. We sought assurances that the water quality would be acceptable for us to stage the event this weekend, but having not received this and with toxic algae warning signs around the lake today it would be entirely irresponsible for us to go ahead. “Nearly 9,000 people had been training to take part in what would have been Britain’s biggest ever open water swimming event and we know they will share our disappointment. However, the welfare of participants is always our number one concern and we had no alternative but to cancel.” All entrants have been offered a full refund of entry fee or deferment of entry until 2011, details of which can be found at www.greatswim.org -Ends- For more information please contact: David Hart E: david.hart@nova-international.com T: 0191 2263230 M: 07771 983688

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