A RALLYING call has gone out to the bridge-swingers of South Lakeland to say a fun farewell to the founder of the bizarre sport, writes Justin Hawkins Alec Greening, of Burton-in-Kendal, dreamed up the extreme activity back in 1979 in a spare moment while working as an outdoor instructor in British Columbia, Canada.

Since 1984 he has been chairman of the Brigsteer Bridge-swingers a group of like-minded people who enjoy indulging their passion for throwing themselves off bridges.

The sport is not for the faint-hearted as it involves slinging ropes beneath a bridge and attaching a harness which allows the jumper to leap from the bridge and, reaching speeds of 40mph, swing in an arc under the bridge and out of the other side fans say it is a thrill unlike any other.

The first bridge ever used for swinging in this country was the Waterside Bridge at Sedbergh.

Since those early pioneering days, the sport has travelled around the world and is now popular in places as far afield as Spain, South Africa, Venezuela and Japan.

"It has spread far and wide around the world," said Mr Greening, "and seems to have really taken off in the last five years of so."

Now though, the 56-year-old is taking a back seat from organising the activities of the Brigsteer Bridge-swingers and handing over the ropes to fellow member Tim Nicholson.

"I'm not giving up, but having devoted my Bank Holidays for the last ten to 15 years, it's about time I had a bit of free time my wife thinks so as well," said Mr Greening.

As he explained, the group has very informal membership arrangements: "Once you have done it you just belong. Over the years there have been thousands of people involved in this at some time or other all over the country."

He hopes that he will be able to at least reach as many local members as possible.

The Brigsteer Bridge-swingers will be celebrating on August Bank holiday weekend with a "death slide" zip wire at Hodge Close, near Coniston, followed by a farewell meal in honour of Mr Greening at the Gilpin Bridge Hotel from 7.30pm with a late bar, hot-pot supper and disco, and Monday will see some actual bridge-swinging!

Anyone interested should call Mr Greening on 01524-781624.