Solent swim postponed due to high winds

Kayakers look out for large ships to keep swimmers safe during the challenge in 2014

A charity swim across the Solent by 40 people has been postponed due to high winds for a second time.

Tony Bray, organiser of the Ian Pratt MND Challenge, said he hoped the event would take place on 7 September.

The event started two years ago with four people swimming from Ryde on the Isle of Wight to Southsea.

In 2014 22 swimmers took part and 40 were due to take part on Monday. More than £35,000 has so far been raised for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

One group will swim the approximately three miles (4.8 km) from Ryde to Stokes Bay in Gosport and another will do the challenge in the opposite direction.

Each swimmer is accompanied by a kayak and there will also be safety boats in the water.

Tony Bray with his friend Ian Pratt, who has motor neurone disease

The event was originally scheduled to go ahead on 27 July.

Another swim is also due to take place on 21 September.