SOLO Channel swim hopeful Kirstie McArthur has tackled a stretch of the Dover to France challenge for the first time.

Jerseyborn McArthur (née Clements) completed a six-man Channel relay last month and helped to raise over £20,000 for Diabetes UK. She is now in training for a two-man cross Channel relay next year, and ultimately hopes to complete the rigorous swim on her own.

She said: ‘It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. We’re just waiting to hear if we can get a pilot to do the paired swim next year and then I’d like to think I can attempt a solo swim, if I can get used to the cold water.’

McArthur, whose brother is Island Commonwealth Games triathlete Paul Clements, used to train with the Jersey Swimming Club and the Jersey Triathlon Club before moving to the UK, where she continued her swim training in Maidstone.