Published: April 15, 2008
Council to help fund Burnham-On-Sea's Stert Island sea swim

Burnham-On-Sea town council looks set to help fund the annual Stert Island Swim, which this year will be run by a local athletics group.

Burnham-On-Sea.com reported in February how West Country Tri-Athletes had agreed to take over the popular summer event after Sedgemoor District Council said it could no longer afford to run it.

On Monday night (April 14th), town councillors voted in favour of providing £1,000 to West Country Tri-Athletes to help with the costs of running the event, which will be held on Sunday 27th July at 1.30pm.

Sarah Hudghton of West Country Tri-Athletes told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "This is absolutely fantastic news that makes sure the event can go ahead."

Up to eighty swimmers take part in the unique 2,400m race from Burnham beach to Stert Island and back - although last year's event was cancelled due to stormy seas. The race often attracts a huge crowd of up to 3,000 spectators to Burnham seafront.

The event has in the past been organised by Sedgemoor District Council and supported by the Town Council, English Nature, BARB and the RNLI.

RELATED LINKS:

Athletics group comes to the rescue of Stert Swim
High winds cancel 2007 Stert Island Swim
Online video of the 2006 Stert Island Swim
2006 Stert Island Swim Results
Burnham-On-Sea what's on guide