A WORLD record mass dive attempt, set for the Dorset Coast this month has been cancelled at the eleventh hour.

Organiser Jason Haiselden had worked tirelessly in a bid to smash the existing record but he was forced to pull the plug because of a lack of willing divers.

Jason, who wanted to entice 3,000 scuba divers to Swanage Bay, said: “I am naturally disappointed – however, we are not going to give up and will endeavour to put the event on next year.

“Without full support from the diving community we cannot ensure that our chosen charities will make enough out of it.

“Next year we can pull out all the stops and make it huge.”

Jason’s target, of 2,486 divers in the water at the same time was set by the Indonesian navy in 2009.

He was aiming to make £150,000 for charity and the attempt looked set to be another major event for Swanage.