Sunday's Birdman of Worthing competition, cancelled because of severe weather, will not be rearranged for a later date this year.

The event was scrapped at noon as severe gales and rain battered the town.

Sharon Clarke, Worthing town centre manager, said: "What we have to have is a weekend with a six metre tide during the day.

"The next weekend would have been August 2 and August 3. With that date the timescale is too small to get anything in place. It's just not possible."

Ms Clarke said her team was now busy preparing for next year's competition after a frantic race to get the event staged this year.

Bognor Birdman was called off after a storm put Bognor Pier out of action.

Sunday's charity event was only one half of the competition with Saturday's jump, for more serious contenders, a success with glorious weather and thousands of Birdman watchers gathered on the seafront near Worthing Pier.

Our reporter Richard Gurner had been due to jump off the pier on Sunday dressed as Superman and had been collecting money for The Argus Appeal.

Richard said: "I've got mixed feelings about the cancellation.

"Obviously, like the rest of the participants, I'm disappointed I didn't get to fly but at the same time I feel a bit of relief as the drop did look a long way down.

"I also feel a little guilty at collecting sponsor money and not doing the event so I'm now busy thinking of something else I can do to justify people's faith in me. Any ideas are welcome and people can email me at richard.gurner@theargus.co.uk"