Jellyfish force sea swim event to be called off

Jellyfish have forced the cancellation of a popular swimming event.

The Open Swim Stars challenge has become popular across France since the first event in 2012. It hosts numerous events throughout the year - but its first trip to the Nord department has been called off after numerous stinging sea creatures were found in the harbour at Dunkirk, where the event was to take place.

Organiser, SSO, preferred to cancel the race, which was due to go ahead on September 14, because of the presence of excessive numbers of jellyfish and "the high risk of stings and burns to participants".

Event organiser said a rescheduled event in Dunkirk would take place in May or June 2020, "when the water will be cooler and we will not see the arrival of jellyfish."

Open Swim Stars' events include 1km, 2.5km and 5km open water swims. Some 200 people had registered to take part in the Dunkirk swim - and most have said they will take part next year, according to officials.