A DEDICATED open water swimmer from Sutton Heath is planning to cross the English Channel using butterfly stroke this August.

Joe Coy, 56, of Sutton Heath Road, says if successful, he will be the first man to swim it butterfly - and he's also hoping to raise "a few thousand" for St Helens-based Helen Marie charity.

The widower, who has a 21-year-old son and a daughter aged 18, has completed a number of swimming challenges - including the River Mersey on several occasions - but has never crossed the Channel solo.

He said: "From a young age, I've always wanted to do this; there have been a few obstacles along the way, so I'm really looking forward to it - I love swimming, it's a passion.

"In 2004 I took part in a six-person relay across the Channel - we each took turns to do an hour until we got to France."

He added: "I'm going it alone this time, 21 miles is the shortest distance across but I'll probably swim more like 24 to 26 miles, as you do it in a zigzag. It will take about 18 hours."

The swim is planned for the last week of August, weather permitting.

Joe said: "If the weather's not good then, I'll do it a fortnight later.

"I've been training for about 18 months - I've been swimming in lakes at Pickmere, Sale Water Park, Boundary Park and Salford Quays, and at sea in Blackpool and Colwyn Bay.

"In winter I go to Carr Mill Dam when it's cold and dark - I have to get used to swimming in the dark as some of the swim will probably be in the dark.

"I will be the first man to swim it butterfly - two women have done it and one man claims to have done it, but he did not have someone checking he did every stroke legally."

During the swim, a boat will sail alongside Joe, and each hour he will be thrown an energy drink on a rope as he is not permitted to touch the boat or any person.

His drinks will contain a Farley's rusk, half a banana, four jelly babies, glucose and water.

Joe started open water swimming in the '90s, when he joined the Warrington Dolphins and started swimming in lakes including Coniston, Windermere and Ullswater.

To donate to the Helen Marie charity - which helps sick children - go to crowdfunding.justgiving.com/JoeChannelSwim.