A PE and sport lecturer is joining a six-member relay swim across the Channel.

Suzanne Gough will take part in the feat for a charity teaching swimming to poverty-stricken children.

Mrs Gough, formerly of Aylesham and now living in Canterbury, is a lecturer in the city's Christ Church University.

Her team sets off from Shakespeare Beach, Dover between July 17 and 21, depending on the weather, with members swimming one hours at a time.

The feat is expected to take 12 to 18 hours and swimmers are only able to use goggles and wear one cap, a nose clip, ear plugs and a costume.

Mrs Gough gained the last of the six places after being passed as fit by a doctor and completing a two-hour qualify swim in waters of 12.2C on Saturday, May 18.

Mrs Gough, 53, started swimming in the sea on March 1 when temperatures were 7C and built up over the months to a 2-hour endurance.

She will continue training with night swims and a one guided by a pilot boat.

Mrs Gough (nee House) said on her charity web page: "I was presented with this unique opportunity to raise money for this amazing charity and follow a passion that I had developed for swimming.

"I am going to conquer this world-renowned challenging swim as part of at team.

"More people have climbed Mount Everest than have swum the English Channel."

She aims to raise £1,500 for the charity Swim Tayka.

It teaches the poorest children in the world swimming, drowning prevention and environmental water stewardship.

Mrs Gough, has already taken on the London Marathon and numerous cycling challenges and triathlons.

She went to the now-gone Castlemount School in Laureston Place, Dover, and as a youngster canoed in the harbour.

The other members of her team come from elsewhere in Britain such as South Wales and Blackpool.

If you want to help Mrs Gough support Swim Tayka visit he charity web page totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/suzannes-channelrelayswim2019