THE PLUG has been pulled on one of the biggest events on the Sandown summer fun calendar — the Pier 2 Pier Swim — because of coronavirus.

The event, organised by the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club, is traditionally staged between Sandown Pier and the site of the former Shanklin Pier — destroyed by the Great Storm of 1987.

It was expected to have been held on Saturday, August 1.

Isle of Wight County Press: The annual swim from Sandown Pier to the site of the former Shanklin Pier is a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic this year.The annual swim from Sandown Pier to the site of the former Shanklin Pier is a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic this year.

In a statement from the Marlins club, its safety officer and chairman, Bob Cooper, said: "It is with regret we have taken the decision to cancel this year's Pier 2 Pier Sea Swim.

"This is due to the fact we could not confidently run an event that would fulfil our social responsibility obligations and would be enjoyable for the swimmers and spectators alike, given the current uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 situation.

“This has been a very difficult decision to make as we had an entry of 150 swimmers, with 120 of them coming from the mainland.

"I know several of them had booked accommodation to stay over and enjoy the Island.

"Unfortunately, try as hard as we could, there was no practical plan available for us to provide social distancing at the start location of Sandown Lifeboat Station and the finish, at the Shanklin and Sandown Rowing Club.

"The event traditionally draws large crowds of spectators, as well as the swimmers, and this year they would have amounted to around 300 people.

"I am pleased to announce we intend to hold the event on Saturday, August 7 next year, at noon.

"Again, we will be having 150 entries, as we are inviting this year's entrants to retain their entry."