A former BBC Breakfast presenter is set to make a splash with an upcoming swimming challenge.

Louise Minchin will take part in the Arla Great North Swim, in Windermere, later this year.

A triathlete and swimmer, she will take part in the two mile swim on Friday, June 7, and also the middle distance SwimRun on Saturday, June 8.

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Minchin said: "I’m so excited to come to the Lake District and be part of the Arla Great North Swim weekend.

"This event is something I’ve been wanting to do for ages and I can’t wait to join all the swimmers."

A number of inspiring participants gathered on Windermere at the beginning of spring to highlight this year’s ‘Every Body Swim’ campaign, which aims to emphasise the inclusivity of swimming.

The roster includes Thao Nunns from Kendal, Lake District, who said: "I feel alive, pain free and such freedom when I am in the open water.

"It’s escape from the mad world, you can relax your mind - it’s you, the water, the birds singing, and the scenery.

"I encourage everyone to try the Arla Great North Swim."

TV’s lifestyle doctor, Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi said: "This is my fourth year in a row doing the Arla Great North Swim and I always look forward to meeting other likeminded people that love swimming, and witnessing the joy they get from it."

Other participants include Rhianon Gale from Poulton-le-Fylde who uses swimming for both physical therapy and mental health support, and wheelchair user, Vickie Orton from Otley, who uses open water swimming as a way to connect with nature.

Avid swimmer, Bill Moore, 86, from Wakefield will be making his 15th appearance at the event.

Alice Peyredieu, the event's brand manager, said: "It’s amazing to highlight here some of the inspiring stories of our swimmers of this year’s Great North Swim through our campaign ‘Every Body Swim’.

"We know it can be intimidating to start open water swimming, especially if you don’t see yourself represented in that space.

"We want to use our platform to showcase that swimming is for everyone and that all swimmers should be celebrated."