Great East Swim

21 June 2014, 06:00

The Great East Swim takes place later at Alton Water in Suffolk.

More than 3,000 swimmers will take the plunge later at Alton Water near Holbrook in Suffolk later to raise money for charity.

Swimmers can choose from four different distances including: 1/2 a mile, one mile, two miles and five kilometers so people of all abilities are taking part. Each distance is given a different colour coded swim hat.

The swimming starts at 8am and runs all day until the last lot of participants set off at 3.15pm. There's eight chances for people to swim a mile, two chances for people swimming two miles and one chance for people doing half a mile or five kilometers.

It's also a chance for people to raise money for charity. Sponsorship will go to one of the following charities:

• Macmillan Cancer Support
• St Elizabeth Hospice
• Headway
• Royal Lifesaving Society UK
• Alzheimer's Research UK