Sacre Bleu

French want to ban people swimming the Channel

t's been a sporting challenge since the 19th century, but French coastguards now want to ban people from swimming the English Channel.

They claim the 21-mile swim from Dover to Calais has become increasingly dangerous as more vessels use the busy shipping route.

It's also said there's been a dramatic increase in the number of people trying the challenge since it was completed for charity by comedian David Walliams.

French Coastguards claim this means accidents are now far more likely and that all attempts should be banned on safety grounds.

However, British channel swimming associations argue their crossings are safe and well organised… in fact you could say they go swimmingly.

Channel swimming faced a similar fate 17 years ago when France banned swimmers using the Calais to Dover route -- it was only negotiations by channel swimming associations which allowed it to continue.