Birdman flocks back to Bognor Regis

Eight entrants have already signed up for the return to the town of the world-famous event.

One of the hopefuls comes from Thailand to help the International Bognor Birdman event live up to its reputation.

The news comes as work is carried out on the seaward end of Bognor Pier to keep the structure safe and enable the flying by about 50 competitors to take place on September 11 and 12.

The maintenance by pier owner John Ayers involves replacing two cross supports of angle iron, one of which had rotted all the way through, with modern tubular components to keep the exposed area stable.

Barry Jones, chairman of the Birdman's organising company, said: "I am pretty confident Birdman will go ahead in September.

"It's just a case of getting over the last few hurdles.

"I want to prove we can hold the event again in Bognor and that it can return to the town."

The organisers need 34,000 to ensure the event can take place again in its rightful home. It was last staged here in 2007 because safety work to shorten the pier led to concerns the Birdmen would not have enough water to land in safely.

But Bognor resident Mr Jones said the event's safety advisory group '“ which brings together council, emergency services and organisers '“ had accepted studies which showed the water depth was adequate.

"In the next week or two, they will be happy with the pier," he vowed.

"We need to get on with things now."

His hopes were boosted by a 5,000 grant from the Joint Western Arun Area Committee towards the costs.

The committee shelved a decision about Mr Jones's request for 10,000 at its last meeting because of safety concerns.