Flo's incredible feat to be sewn into history

A YOUNG woman who swam more than three miles in less than an hour in the rolling River Tamar is to be remembered in the town where she lived.

- CLARE AINSWORTH

Florence Mabel Tout was just a teenager when she took part in the very last River Tamar Long-Distance Swim, in 1938.

The race was a three-and-a-half mile sprint from Neil Point, Landulph, to Saltash Pier.

Florence won the women’s race by many lengths and was awarded the David Jordan Perpetual Silver Trophy.

Florence’s daughter Sue Hooper, from Saltash, said: “My mother was aged 17 years at the time and was the youngest person ever to win this most prestigious event.

“She swam the race in turbulent waters in an astonishing 59 minutes!”