A man who hoped to swim the channel and set a new world record for the earliest possible attempt has had to abandon the challenge.

Simon Cooke, of Southover Street, Brighton, had been building up to “the Mount Everest of long-distance swims” since he was 16.

The Brighton Sea Swimmers Club member took on the challenge to raise cash for local charity Amaze.

The 47-year-old was five hours into his swim from Dover when he became disorientated due to the cold water.

The decision to call off the swim was made by the Captain of Simon's support boat as it became too dangerous.

Nicky Bagilhole, of the charity Amaze, said: "It was the skippers decision because it became too dangerous.

"Simon became disorientated due to the cold.

"The water is very much colder than it has been in May in previous years so achieving the world record was always going to be a massive challenge.

"Simon is Amaze’s Hero regardless. He has raised such a lot of money and awareness of our charity that we hope this softens the blow a little for him as we are sure he is feeling very disappointed."