While most tenants were putting their feet up over the long weekend, Works Post joined the likes of CNN and ITV at the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

Armed with a snorkel, and covered in goosebumps, intrepid swimmers – most in fancy dress – accepted the unenviable challenge of swimming two lengths of a 55-metre peat bog.

The rules state that no swimmer may use conventional swimming strokes and participants must be sure to touch the wooden post at the end of each length, under the watchful eye of Official Bog Attendants. Swimmers had their sights set on smashing the world record of 1 minute 22 seconds. Sadly, the speediest swamp-dweller was four seconds off the record books.

Committed athletes were also able to take part in ditch-running, wife-carrying and husband-dragging competitions. Events the previous day included elite belly-flopping (ouch), and mountain bike-riding through a 6ft bog.

Now in its 31st year, the event was designed to bring more tourists to the small Welsh town as the pony-trekking industry declined. It is run by Green Events, a local not-for-profit.