A MOTHER and daughter duo from the Cotswolds are in training for the challenge of a lifetime as they prepare to swim the channel.

Tori Walker, 21 and Ann Walker, 57 who live in Cirencester and South Cerney respectively, are taking the challenge as part of a team of six to raise funds for Aspire, a charity that helps people living with spinal injuries.

Tori explained that they were inspired to aid the charity after her mother had minor back surgery 18 months ago and was shocked at the difficulty of living with back pain.

On July 15 Team Crocodile, made up of Tori, Ann and four friends, will set off from Dover and swim until they reach the French coast.

They will be followed by a support boat and will only be redirected if they are heading seriously off course, meaning their swim could be anywhere between 14 to 16 hours.

Tori said: "It's going to be pretty tough. The route is normally about 22 miles but it will depend on the currents and our swimmers.

"We had a training weekend down in Dover at the weekend and it was the first time the team has been together as a six.

"It was a bit of a wake up call for all of us because of the size of the challenge we have all taken on."

On the day the team will be given a window to set off if the weather is calm enough and are likely to make their first splash between 4am and 5am.

The water in the channel is a bone-chilling 15 degrees on average in June and the team will only be allowed their swimming costumes, a pair of goggles and swimming cap to protect them from the elements.

To add to their totals visit justgiving.com/annwalker57/ and justgiving.com/toriwalker