Jersey woman completes solo swim to France

Rebecca Collins finished the open water challenge in seven hours and 54 minutes

A local woman has completed a solo swim from Jersey to France, a long distance swimming club has said.

Rebecca Collins finished the open water challenge in seven hours and 54 minutes.

The Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club Committee said her previous experience prior to the day had been competing in two Jersey to France charity relay challenges and other swim events.

The 43-year-old, who had spent more than one year training towards the solo swim, said she had "just always loved being in the water".

The 43-year-old spent more than a year training towards the solo swim

"When I found out people actually swim this distance solo, the idea stuck with me - I couldn't stop thinking about it," she said.

Ms Collins said she had to complete an "intense six-hour qualifier" swim in sea temperatures below 16C (60F) to even attempt the solo swim.

Ms Collins began her swim at about 05:00 BST on Thursday and reached the French shores at about 13:00.

She said: "It still doesn't feel real, the support from the local swim community has been incredible.

"I'm just so grateful - grateful I had the chance to go after this, and that I became strong enough to make it happen."