Why spend Bank Holiday lounging in front of the TV when you could be immersing yourself in a 180ft peat bog in Wales?

That's the philosophy behind a handful of competitors who took part in the annual Bog Snorkelling Championships at Llanwrtyd Wells this weekend.

The madcap competition saw over 100 plucky - or some would say mucky - entrants don snorkels and flippers to thrash through the muddy depths of the bog, cheered on by enthusiastic onlookers.

The aim of the contest, which dates back 26 years, is to reach the finish line first without using any conventional swimming strokes.

This year's dirty daredevils threw themselves into the peat with vigour, each hoping to be crowned snorkel champion.

King of the bog title went to Andrew Holmes, who set a new record by ploughing through the trench in less than 90 seconds.

Locals who set up the quirky contest (to raise money for charity) insist the secret is in the technique.

"You need to be able to snorkel when you cannot see where you are going, and you don't want to be taking a mouthful of the water," Lindsay Ketteringham, chairman of championship organiser Green Events, explained to The Sun.

See photos from the competition, above, or click here for examples of other wacky festivals around the world.

Picture Credit: Rex Features

Bog snorkelling contest: the highlights