Rule change row at Bishop's Castle stone skimming event

A bitter row has erupted over a rule change at an annual charity stone skimming championships in south Shropshire - which has left one man claiming elite competitors could boycott the event.

Veteran skimmer Ron Long, who finished second at last year's Bishop's Castle Stone Skimming Championship, is incensed after organisers banned competitors from bringing their own stones to the event on June 26.

The decision was made to make it a level playing field for all competitors and to dissuade people from taking stones from beaches and rivers, which can be illegal.

But Mr Long, 67, from Marton near Welshpool, said it was unacceptable for "elite" skimmers such as himself. He said top skimmers were now considering boycotting the event at Bow House Equestrian on the A489 near Bishop's Castle. He said: "It's like telling Tiger Woods he has to use someone else's clubs or handing Tim Henman a club racket to use at Wimbledon. It's just not on."

Organiser Heather Ashton, who founded the event four years ago to raise cash for The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "The championships are simply about providing a bit of fun for the area.

"We get quality skimmers who are quite happy to use the stones we provide. It's a family event and when it starts getting serious, well, it's not really in the ethos of the day for us."

Admission is free to the event, which will run from noon to 5pm.