Water Park in the UK Bans Speedos: No More Junk in the Pool

Swimming trunks like these are out, says Alton Towers. Photograph: Jason Horowitz /Getty Images

Frankly, any man wearing tight swimming trunks at a water park that boasts "adrenalin-pumping thrills" is asking for trouble.

However, it seems that sanity, self-preservation, good taste, and even the memory of Rod Stewart's terrifying leopardskin Speedos have not proved sufficient deterrent: Alton Towers today announced a ban on tiny trunks at its aquatic park, on pain of compulsory bikini waxing.

Rachael Lockitt, the park's PR manager, rejected any suggestion that the Speedo story was dreamt up to generate a little August publicity. However, the venue got good press mileage in May when it announced a similar "ban" on children wearing high heels to cheat the height requirements on its rides.

It insists the trunks-only rule is an "extreme measure … to prevent embarrassment among fellow members of the public and to maintain the family-friendly atmosphere at the resort".

"While women may hail the return of the skimpy bathers, the style itself is not deemed public or family friendly, and therefore we are requesting that male swimmers wear more appropriate styles such as boardshorts."

Morwenna Angove, sales and marketing director for Alton Towers, said: "We feel this small brief style is not appropriate for a family venue so we are advising male bathers to wear more protective swimwear such as shorts."

It is not yet clear whether male bikini waxing, or the full back, sack and crack is being contemplated. Alton Towers said not only men were involved – some women bathers had turned up wearing thongs.

So far Alton Towers has not announced any further clothing guidelines for its toddlers' paddling pool, recklessly named The Little Leak.