Sergeant to make 'channel swim'

Sgt Workman will use Keynsham pool for the sponsored swim

A Bristol police officer is planning to raise money for charity by swimming the equivalent of the English Channel.

Sgt Andy Workman aims to swim 1,408 lengths of the 25m pool at Keynsham Leisure Centre in stages between 17 September and 9 December.

He said he had always wanted to swim the Channel for real, but family and work commitments, as well as the cost had stopped him.

The cash raised will go to Aspire which supports people with spinal injuries.

"One of my colleagues is now a wheelchair user after being involved in a collision while on duty as a police motorcyclist," he said.

"I, or any of my colleagues, could have the same fate any day. Rarely do I stop to think how blessed I am to be able to get up, go to work and walk round the supermarket unaided.

"When I do think about it, I want to help those who aren't so fortunate. This swim gives me chance to do the distance and help others - a win-win!"