Backers wanted as Birdman stalls in Worthing

The event's enforced move from Bognor Regis this summer could be a short one unless a major backer is found for the 2009 weekend.

Organisers at Worthing are hoping that either Red Bull or Virgin, who separately supported the Birdmen in Bognor, will hand over most of the 40,000 needed to put on the world-famous attraction.

Sharon Clark, Worthing's town centre manager, is actively looking for a sponsor and believes a blue chip company will be interested.

Birdman's final years in Bognor took place thanks to a year-round fundraising event by a team of volunteers with some backing from various councils.

But the planned event on July 5 and 6 had to be scrapped at short notice after the end of Bognor Pier, from which the Birdman jumped, was removed for safety reasons.

Worthing offered to take over, with councils paying most of the cost.

But Mrs Clark said Birdman 2009 would receive only very limited public funding and warned that it could not go ahead without a sponsor.

It is estimated that Birdman 2008 was worth 260,000 in publicity for Worthing.

Restaurants and bars reported a 30 per cent increase in revenue and the number of people in the town centre was up 40 per cent compared to the previous year in spite of the event's second day being cancelled because of poor weather.

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