A St Albans fitness centre is challenging everyone to swim the length of the English Channel for charity.

Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre is about to launch the Channel Swim Challenge in aid of Aspire, a charity for people with spinal chord injuries.

Sponsored participants have 12 weeks to swim 22 miles at the 25m swimming pool on Holywell Hill.

Jacqui Tillman, head of swimming at Everyone Active - which operates Westminster Lodge along with St Albans district council, said: “The work that the team at Aspire carry out is fantastic and we are delighted to be supporting them.

“The Channel Swim Challenge is a fantastic way for people to raise money for a great cause while also improving their own health and wellbeing by getting active. I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”

Last year participants around the UK raised £625,000 for Aspire.

Event manager for the fund raiser, Kathryn Boyd, said: “Aspire Channel Swimmers truly are amazing.

“Fewer people have swum the channel than conquered Everest, yet every year thousands of people take on 22 miles over 12 weeks in pools across the country.

“It’s an incredible achievement and one that helps support hundreds of spinal cord injured people every year.”

The challenge will run from September 10 to December 3. Sign up at www.everyoneactive.com/AspireSwim