BBC NI presenters swim for Children In Need

The Belfast-based team consisted of Cate Conway, Anne-Marie Wallace, Mark Simpson and Connor Phillips

A team of BBC Radio Ulster presenters have completed their part of this year's BBC Children in Need 1000 Mile Swim challenge.

A total of 1,000 miles (1,609km) is being attempted by teams at BBC radio stations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Belfast-based team consisted of Connor Phillips, Cate Conway, Anne-Marie Wallace and Mark Simpson.

They each swam a mile a day for five days and some of their BBC Belfast colleagues joined in to complete 24 miles in total.

'It was a rollercoaster'

They swam at the heritage pool at Templemore Baths in east Belfast, which dates back more than 100 years.

The challenge is part of this year’s BBC Children In Need fund-raising effort.

The final mile by the Belfast team was completed on Friday by Connor Phillips, live on his BBC Radio Ulster programme.

As he finished his final length he said: “Where we see the Children In Need money going is phenomenal.

“Some of the children haven’t had a great start in the world – and that’s where Children In Need comes in.”

The presenters fitted in the daily mile-long swim with their day jobs.

Cate Conway, who co-presents the Vinny & Cate show, admitted it was difficult at times.

She said: “It was a rollercoaster. It was really good fun… but I won’t lie, it was a struggle. There were days whenever I left the pool and went straight to work and I was exhausted. But I really enjoyed it.”

More than £100,000 has been raised so far by the swim challenge across the UK.