A ROSSENDALE man is making a splash in an attempt to swim the English Channel.

Father-of-two Mark Preston, 44, of Hillside Drive, Newchurch, will attempt the 21-mile swim in July to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

The life-long competitive swimmer, who has swum for Lancashire, said: “I took part in the Channel relay in 2010 and this time I wanted to attempt it solo.

“I chose the British Heart Foundation as it is close to my heart, because my father died in 1995, at the age of 63, after battling heart problems all his life.”

Mark, a sales manager, is undertaking a gruelling training programme to get himself fit for the challenge.

He said: “At the moment I am swimming about 30kilometres a week in local lakes and swimming pools.

“Rossendale Leisure Trust has been fantastic, giving me free access to the local pools and gyms.

"I have also been sea training and getting my body climatised for the cold water.

"I think the biggest challenge will be being mentally prepared.

“The route is 21 miles, but I will swim more like 26 with the currents.

"I just hope we have decent weather and it’s not too windy.”

Mark is hoping to complete the swim in around 12 to 16 hours, and a support team will outline his route in a pilot boat ahead of him.

He will complete a six-hour qualifying swim around Dover Island on June 11 to prove to officials he is fit enough to attempt the challenge.

The former Burnley Bobcats club swimmer, who also competed for Rawtenstall and Haslingden Swimming Club, will swim from Dover to France between July 21 and July 29 when the weather is calm enough.

Up to 500 ships and vessels travel up and down the Channel every day, making it one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

An observer from the Channel Swimming & Pilot Federation, which oversees all crossingd, will monitor Mark’s fundraising attempt.

He aims to raise £2,000.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor Mark should visit the website below.