Planks but no planks - that's the Sheppey Pirates' response to a team of police officers who stepped in to try to save this year's World Walking the Plank Championships.

Last week we reported how Sgt Stef Martin and his team said they would give up their own time to police the event after it was cancelled due to last year's anti-social behaviour.

Although the organisers were delighted by the offer - they said it is too late to revive it because it takes so much planning.

For the past 13 years the championships have taken place at Queenborough Creek and raised hundreds of pounds for charity.

But the anti-social behaviour which marred last year's event led to organisers pulling the plug as they could not guarantee it would not happen again.

Scurvy Dog the Sea Scribe (aka John Nurden) said: "We were absolutely delighted and amazed by the offer and we appreciate it immensely.

"But the difficulty is from a practical point of view.

"It takes months to organise and get everything sorted out and we still don't think we can get it off the ground for this year.

"Realistically we have run out of time, which is a great shame.

"We welcome the support from the neighbourhood team - particularly that they offered their own time - and we have been overwhelmed by the comments we have had coming in."

Mr Nurden also said there is no truth to rumours that the pirates wanted to move the event from Sheppey anyway and go to a venue where they would be paid.

Although they have discussed the possibility of hosting heats elsewhere in the county, he said the championships would not move from the Island.

He added: "We have had offers from Maidstone River Festival, Whitstable Oyster Festival and Faversham Creek to make a new home for it, but the championships are uniquely Sheppey and were designed to put Sheppey on the map."

He said if the event does come back next year, the organisers could do with extra help.

• If you would be interested, phone Mr Nurden on 07831 486436.