Coronavirus: 'We don't want the charities to suffer' says organiser of Jersey's cancelled Swimarathon

Organisers of Jersey Lions' Swimarathon say they do not want the charities to "suffer" as the event is called off.

They are asking people to still donate despite the event being cancelled following the first confirmed case of Coronavirus in the island.

The five selected charities are:

• Brighter Futures

• Brightly

• Jersey Youth Trust

• Teenage Cancer Trust

• YouMatter

Speaking to ITV News, Peter Tabb said it was with an "extremely heavy heart" that the event had to be cancelled for the first time in its history.

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The organising committee says it took the immediate decision to cancel following the recommendation from the island's Deputy Medical Officer of Health.

Dr Ivan Muscat said the Swimarathon represented a "significant high risk" because of the humid atmosphere and large number of people expected.

Around 4,000 people were due to pass through Les Quennevais Sports Centre over the next five days, with 3,500 of those signed up to take part.

Organisers confirmed the event will be cancelled and not postponed because of the uncertainty over how long the Coronavirus outbreak will last.