PLUCKY Chrissie Flood overcame painful spasms, aching limbs, and even a trip to hospital to achieve her goal of swimming the equivalent of the English Channel.

Despite reaching her target of a remarkable 96 miles in just 12 weeks, Chrissie (pictured) isn't putting her feet up to recover from her arduous marathon. For, as she says, she just can't stop swimming.

The 47-year-old Tottington businesswoman undertook the sponsored swim at Bury's Village Hotel for the charity ASPIRE (Association for Spinal Injury Research Rehabilitation & Reintegration). She has raised £700 so far and hopes the final figure will top £1,000.

Chrissie, of Victoria Street, said: "ASPIRE had asked people to swim the equivalent of the English Channel. Dover to Calais is just 22 miles, which I thought was far too easy. So, I decided to swim the equivalent of the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing which is 96 miles."

Several years ago, her doctor recommended swimming to help overcome back pain Chrissie was suffering. During the past 12 weeks, she maintained a rigorous regime, sometimes swimming more than a mile each day. Completing the 96 miles equated to a remarkable 6,144 lengths of the pool.

And Chrissie also had to swim through the pain barrier after being taken ill following one session.

"After I'd come out of the pool I developed muscle cramp in my fingers and knuckles, my arms and legs.

"I hobbled to the changing room, but by the time I got there I collapsed. The staff thought I'd suffered a stroke. I actually lost my speech for two to three hours and my limbs locked. It turned out I had 98 per cent oxygen in my bloodstream which was like having the bends."

She was taken to Fairfield Hospital before eventually been given the all-clear. But just two days later she was back in the pool!

Commenting on her successful marathon swim, Chrissie added: "Obviously, it was very hard in the middle. But going towards the end I got such a determined high that all I wanted to do was to keep going and not give up. I was going to do it come hell or high water.

"But what has happened since I completed the 96 miles is that I just can't stop swimming. I'm still going to the pool regularly."

ASPIRE works with people with spinal cord injuries to create opportunities, choice and independence for disabled people in society.

Anyone who wants to donate should write to Chrissie at 28 Victoria Street, Tottington BL8 4AG.