Surf boat racing will be among the competitions at Newquay

The Surf Life Saving World Championships in 2010 include swimming and rescue competitions as well as surf boat and inflatable rescue boat racing.

The competition is expected to attract more than 4,000 competitors and 40 national teams from lifesaving clubs throughout the world.

The bid, backed by the RNLI, includes a 50m Olympic-size pool at Fistral Beach.

Jonathan Ball, president of Surf Life Saving Great Britain said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for Britain.

"It is a unique opportunity for organisations to contribute positively to an ethical mission that will help to inspire young people and raise public awareness of a sporting challenge that recognises bravery, encourages selflessness, personal fitness and well being and service to the community."

The estimated �6m cost of hosting the championships will be funded from public and private sponsorship.

A 50m swimming pool at Fistral beach was part of the bid

The initial bid costs of �65,000 has been funded by contributions from South West Regional Development Authority, Cornwall County Council, Restormel Borough Council and Newquay Town Council.

When Australia hosted the event last year it brought in an estimated �18m, 40% of which went into the local economy.

The first Rescue Championship was held in 1994 at Newquay and Cardiff and they are now held every two years.

In that time, the event has grown in size from about 1,000 to about 4,000 athletes. The International Life Saving Federation has not revealed what other countries are involved in the bid.

UK young lifesavers have won medals at all previous championships since 1994.