A TEAM of young swimmers are preparing to take on their toughest channel yet, to swim the channel.

Halstead Amateur Swimming Club is taking on the challenge of crossing the channel.

The young swimmers, aged between 13 and 30, plan to swim the channel in relay with each doing a mile before swapping with a team mate.

Five people from the club will take part in the challenge with one reserve.

Coach Edward Duncombe said: "Swimming in the sea is totally different from doing it in a pool, there is the tide, current and weather to contend with as well as having to stop for ships because we have to cross several shipping lanes to complete the swim."

Mr Duncombe has done the channel swim himself in a team including his brother Roger, who will also be coaching the team.

He said when they did it the team actually had to swim 31 miles because the current kept pushing them off the most direct route.

In order to get ready for the marathon swim the group are taking part in a number of outdoor swims including the open water championships in Nottingham. They will do the actual cross channel swim in September.

As well as taking on the challenge the group will be raising funds for Travel Aid for Parents of Sick Children (TAPS), a Halstead based charity that helps local families pay the cost of travelling to hospital to see their sick children.

The group members who hope to take part in the event are:Daniel Messenger, 19; Charlie Duncombe, 15; Dillon Harris, 14; George Waters, 15; Bradley Tyler, 13; Rebecca Warlings, 15; Courtney Cowell, 30.

Mr Duncombe said a decision will have to be made who makes the final team based on their fitness nearer the time.

To sponsor the team contact Mr Duncombe on 07779265728.