AUSTRALIAN soap star Stephen Hunt, who plays Matt Hancock in the television series Neighbours, is in Dover training for a Channel swim in aid of HIV/AIDS charities.

Stephen, 21, is supporting Kids with AIDS and AIDS Trust of Australia charities. His uncle, Bill Hunt, died eight years ago after a 15-year battle with an AIDS-related illness.

A former junior breaststroke champion, Stephen took part in the New South Wales State championships when he was at primary school and qualified for both the 1996 and 200 Olympic trials.

While his character Matt is on the run from the law in Neighbours, Stephen has come to Dover to train for the Channel swim which is said to have been one of his ambitions since he was 13. "It's like the Everest of swimming," he said.

He is now getting used to the cold water, and hopes to make the swim between July 18 and 23.