The bog snorkelling world record holder failed to win back the world champion crown at Rowntree’s Randoms World Bog Snorkelling Championships.

Teacher Joanne Pitchforth, of Heckmondwike, took one minute and 54 seconds to ‘swim’ two lengths of a 60-yard trench dug into a peat bog.

Last year’s champion beat her time by 12 seconds to leave Joanne in fifth place by the end of the day in Llanwrtyd Wells, in Wales.

However she did come first in the ladies open competition.

She said: “It’s the same time as I got last year so I can’t complain really.”

The competition is open to anyone over the age of 14.

Laura Smith, 18, of Birkenshaw, came first in her section with a time of one minute and 51 seconds.