AN OLYMPIC gold medal-winning athlete braved the worst of the Lakeland weather to launch a charity welly wanging competition, this week.

Triple jump world record-holder Jonathan Edwards flung the first gumboot in the annual welly throwing competition which got under way at the Linthwaite House Hotel, Bowness, this week.

Proceeds from the competition will go to various local cancer charities including CancerCare.

Mr Edwards said he had been coming to the Linthwaite House Hotel for around four years and had been more than happy to take a break from TV presenting to support the competition, when asked by owner Mike Bevans.

"When Mike contacted me, the competitive juices started flowing and I was very keen to give it a try. It would be good if I threw it 60 feet, to equal my triple jump world record.

"I have done a lot of work for charities over the years and it is always good to help out whenever possible, especially with something like cancer research," he said.

The pink boots are being supplied by leading Wellington boot makers Hunter, which donated proceeds from their sale to charity Breast Cancer Haven.

The competition will run for 12 months with guests at the hotel being invited to pay £1 for the chance to throw a welly the furthest, with the eventual winner being awarded a pair of Hunter's Wellingtons and a two-day break at the hotel.

Mike Bevans said: "We take our welly throwing event extremely seriously and there's some stiff competition. It's great to have Hunter involved again and to be supporting our local charities' good work."

The record so far is 28 feet, which was thrown by a hotel guest this week.