No 'birds' means Birdman scrapped

Previous Birdman events have attracted about 20 to 30 entrants

An annual "Birdman" competition which sees people dressed as birds try to fly off Eastbourne Pier has been cancelled because of a lack of entrants.

The contest has for several years seen daredevils in outrageous costumes compete to see who can "fly" furthest.

It used to be part of Eastbourne's annual Airbourne plane festival but was moved to a separate date, which organisers say reduced its audience.

They hope a move back into Airbourne will make Birdman a success next year.

'Much more fun'

The event is organised by the pier management firm, who intend to reorganise it in future years to coincide with the air festival, which attracts hugh crowds to Eastbourne every August.

In previous years the Birdman contest attracted 20 to 30 entrants, with prize money of £2,000 up for grabs.

Money raised from last year's event was given to the RNLI and Eastbourne lifeboats

Mike Reid, of Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, who has been a Birdman judge in previous years, said: "They should put it straight back into Airbourne because the publicity there is tremendous.

"That will draw the flyers and the crowds as well and it just becomes so much more fun when there's all those other activities going on and everyone's in the right mood for it."