AN INTREPID team of swimmers from Trafford has conquered the English Channel - swimming to France and back again.

The six-strong group of Trafford Metro Masters Swimmers set out from Folkestone harbour on Saturday morning, September 17, to take on the 42-mile challenge.

The team of Laura Bowden, Helen Sadler, Niki Williams, Marie Jones, Mike Dilworth and David Randall began preparations 18 months previously.

Their training included as much open water swimming as possible, each member completing a two hour qualification swim without a wetsuit in water below 15.5 degrees, swimming at night in the pitch black and sea swimming with jellyfish. The Channel Swimming Association does not allow swimmers to wear a wetsuit if they wish their time to count.

Their preparation paid off as they completed the swim in relay, with each swimmer completing a one hour stint before a teammate took over.

They reached France in 10 hours and six minutes.

Bob Bolton, from Sale Leisure Centre-based Trafford Metros, said: "Although there had been a storm the previous night and some early morning mist, as the sun rose, conditions improved and a perfect swimming day unfolded. Calm sea and unbroken sunshine gave the team the best weather they could have hoped for."

They then completed the return swim, arriving in Folkestone in a time of 21 hours and 51 minutes. This is the fastest two-way relay crossing of 2016 logged with the Channel Swimming Association.

Three of the swimmers raised funds to support charities with their swim. Helen swam for Mind, the mental health charity; Niki for the Alzheimer's Society, and Laura swam for the Wellspring, a charity providing services to homeless and disadvantaged people in Stockport. Between them they have so far raised more than £1800.