An Australian diving club has claimed a world record in the extreme sport of underwater ironing. Some 43 members of Melbourne's Bay City Scuba Diving Club ironed in 10ft of water in Port Phillip Bay.

Club spokesman Alan Igoe said the 25 minute dive, using cold non-electric irons, also raised £250 for charity.

"We always try to do something to get our members diving after the winter break, but this gained momentum and took off as a chase for a world record," he said

Extreme ironing confirmed the Australian divers had snatched a six week old record from a sixteen-strong New Zealand group of ironists.