No Thames swimming

The Port of London Authority has banned swimming in the tidal Thames, unless with prior permission.

This has been caused by an increase in people swimming in the river, that has been made popular with comedian and Britain's Got Talent judge's David Walliams' 140 miles Sport Relief swim from Lechlade to Westminster Bridge.

State the reason

The authority maintains that indiscriminate swimming is dangerous with so much activity on the river, so anyone wanting to swim must apply for permission and state the reason.

There had been an increase since David's marathon swim, but the tidal river can be very dangerous, with tides and strong currents, a spokesman for the authority related.

Recently, journalist Matthew Parris attempted to swim across the river in the dark, guided by a light at the other side, but misjudged the tide and was swept upstream.