BBC team begin Children in Need swim challenge

BBC Radio Solent's Michael Coombes took to the lanes at 07:00 GMT

Staff from BBC Radio Solent have begun a challenge to swim 24 miles (38.6km) in five days for Children in Need.

Breakfast newsreader Michael Coombes was the first in the water, taking the plunge at The Quays in Southampton, Hampshire, earlier.

Groups from BBC radio stations across the UK are attempting to swim 1,000 miles collectively by the end of Friday for The Thousand Mile Challenge.

The money raised will go towards helping young people facing difficulties like poverty and illness.

The newsreader chose a diet of banana cake, peanut bars, chocolate and fizzy drinks for sustenance

Mr Coombes started training for the challenge in July, when he could only swim about 10 lengths at a time.

"I had no idea about pace, I had no idea about rhythm, I just dived in and got on with it," he said.

After taking to the lanes at about 07:00 GMT, the newsreader changed his technique throughout the swim, swapping between backstroke, breaststroke and front crawl.

On completing 100 lengths, he said he felt "exhilarated".

"Just call me Michael 'Flipper' Coombes because I reckon I'm like a torpedo in the water," he joked.

"Bring on the challenge," says Mr Coombes

The Solent team needs to swim 1,545 lengths to complete the challenge.

At 08:00 on Tuesday, Afternoon Show presenter Lucy Ambache and apprentice Saffron Finch will make a splash at Ravelin Sports Centre in Portsmouth.

South Today presenter Edward Sault and Dorset Breakfast Show presenter Steve Harris will be taking over the challenge at BH Live Active, Littledown in Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Friday will see sports reporter Rob Sills join Ms Ambache, Ms Finch, Mr Sault and Mr Harris for a final day at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch, from 08:00.

To find out more, head to bbc.co.uk/swim.