Jellyfish and ferries were no match for Malmesbury father-of-five Andy Pointer as he joined a charity swim to France.

Mr Pointer, 44, and five team members from across the country swam across the Channel to raise money for Diabetes UK.

It took them 17 hours to swim from Dover to Sangatte.

He said: “It was a relay, swimming in hour-long sessions. We trained hard but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for how difficult it was, nothing was in our favour.

“It was a brilliant experience. I’ve come out with a very swollen tongue on both sides but together all the teams have made about £50,000 for Diabetes UK.

“The next challenge has got to be the solo event.”

Mr Pointer’s wife, Rebecca, is also embarking on a gruelling charity trip this month to raise money for Bliss, a charity that cares for premature and special care babies.

She will cycle from Cirencester to Paris with about 35 other people, leaving on September 14.

She said: “It’s about 450 miles. I wasn’t really much of a cyclist so it’ll be a challenge.

“I’m part of the organising committee. We didn’t want to take part in a corporate event because they take some of the money for the logistics. “We’ve got sponsorship so everything we raise goes to the charity.”

To sponsor Mr Pointer visit www.justgiving.com/AndyPointerSwims, and to sponsor Mrs Pointer visit www.justgiving .com/rebecca-pointer