SWIMMER Linda Platts is preparing to embark on a mile-and-a-quarter swim to the Isle of Wight for charity.

Linda Platts, 59, of Nailsworth, aims to raise £4,000 for The Samaritans with three colleagues at ACP Solutions Ltd.

The team, who call themselves the Solent Splashers, will leave from Hurst Castle on the mainland at 6.45am on Sunday, July 29, and will swim to Colwell on the Isle of Wight.

Mrs Platts, who celebrates her 60th birthday a few days after the swim, said: "I have been training in the local pool and the team have met at the outdoor pool in Newbury. We are also hoping to do a sea swim in Dorset to prepare ourselves.

"I am not very athletic so it will be a challenge, but I am confident it will be ok as I have worked hard at it. I am actually starting to really look forward to it."

Mrs Platts will swim the Solent – the equivalent of 90 lengths in a 25-metre pool – with her colleagues Andy Pointer from Malmesbury, Samantha Long from Bath and Camilla Woodhouse from Newbury.

They will join 26 other swimmers in the annual event, which raises 50 per cent of the funds the Samaritans need to keep its phone line service operating.

To follow and sponsor Mrs Platts in her fundraising bid, visit http:// uk.virginmoney giving.com/team/ thesplashers