FEARS that Suffolk's King of the English Channel could be left high and dry has prompted the people of Ipswich into action.Last month The Evening Star revealed that the world record breaking Mike Read, 61, who has swum the English Channel an amazing 31 times, was unable to access Broomhill Swimming Pool as freely as he liked.

FEARS that Suffolk's King of the English Channel could be left high and dry has prompted the people of Ipswich into action.

Last month The Evening Star revealed that the world record breaking Mike Read, 61, who has swum the English Channel an amazing 31 times, was unable to access Broomhill Swimming Pool as freely as he liked.

The reason for this was because Ipswich Borough Council changed the locks to the pool without giving him a new key. He had previously held a key to the pool for 25 years.

This key enabled him to train as much as he wanted to prepare for the icy waters of the English Channel.

The Council's decision was taken on the grounds that he could not be supervised.

But now friends of Mr Read, a member of the British swimming squad in the 1960 Rome Olympics, have sprung into action and launched a 'Let Mike Swim' campaign.

The response has been staggering and hundreds of people have signed a petition to supporting Mike's right to swim.

Without the key, Mr Read fears that his chances in competitions will be hit as he loses valuable training time.

Speaking in June, Mr Read said: "The only alternative is the sea at Felixstowe but you risk your life there because the currents are so strong."