'Plankers' take the plunge

The annual world championship for walking the plank - which was threatened with the chop because of rising insurance costs - drew "pirates" from across the land.

More than 20 contestants dressed in bizarre costumes and shouting piratical phrases were watched by hundreds of people as they jumped ship into Queenborough Harbour on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.

The charity event was facing the plunge after the cost of public liability insurance soared by 500%, but Kent brewery Shepherd Neame stepped in with weeks to go and offered sponsorship.

This year the title was fought out by 25 competitors from England and Scotland plus one from Zimbabwe, virtually assuring a UK winner after last year's triumph by Heini "The Mad Dane" Nielsen.

After a gruelling competition in which "plankers" are judged on criteria including their technique and use of pirate language - the championship was won by "Mad" Mike Young, from nearby Minster.

The 52-year-old research chemist - who jumped from the plank with the aid of a "rocket-powered" Space Hopper - pocketed £100 for his efforts as well as the new title.

Among the other contenders were welder Chris Carter, 40, who pole-vaulted from the plank, and lorry driver Long John Lenton, 32, who won the Craziest Costume award for dressing as a giant black parrot.

The competition was marked with a small controversy after local carnival queen Emma Frost quit her post because town council officials would not allow her to jump "in character".

However, a spokesman for the event which takes place on a replica of a 17th Century Royal yacht said the competition had been a huge success and had raised hundreds of pounds for lifeboat charity the RNLI.

"There was a really good level of contestants so we were really pleased with the way things went and everybody had a great time in the sunshine," he said