Injury halts double-Channel swim

Tim Cheesman had been attempting to swim 42 miles

A swimmer has failed in his attempt to make history by becoming the oldest man to cross the Channel and back in a day.

Tim Cheesman, 52, from East Grinstead in West Sussex, set off from Dover on Saturday morning, but had to pull out 17 hours and 51 minutes later.

He had to give up on his record-breaking attempt on his return swim from France just after 0100 BST on Sunday due to an injured left shoulder.

Afterwards Mr Cheesman paid tribute to his "fantastic support team".

Father's memory

He had set off from Shakespeare Beach, in Dover, in good conditions, at 0715 BST on Saturday, and arrived in France at Cap Gris Nez, near Calais, at 2230 BST.

Allowed a maximum of just three minutes on the beach, he started his return journey and had swum for a further three hours eight minutes before having to call off his attempt.

The 42-mile double-Channel swim has only been completed by 18 others in the world.

Mr Cheesman was swimming in aid of St Catherine's Hospice, in Crawley, in memory of his father, who died from cancer in 2001.