WINCHESTER student Ali Longman has conquered the English Channel She completed her successful solo crossing in 11 hours and nine minutes.

Her swim, earlier this month, started in the early hours of the morning from Samphire Hoe near Dover and ended at Cap Gris Nez later.

The 20-year old student who lives in Winchester and studies economics at Warwick University has been celebrating the fulfilment of a dream.

She said: “I glanced up as I swam right up to the White Cliffs and tingles went down my spine. I thought 'this is it.' As I scrambled out of the water on to the pebbly beach I hoped so much that the next ground I would touch would be in France.

“After an hour the sky became lighter as morning started to creep over the Channel. I would occasionally glimpse the other side of the boat and see an orange strip of clouds as the, not quite risen sun, reflected off them. Swimming with the dawn was breathtaking; I felt so at one with nature. The water was refreshingly cold and when I would glance ahead it became hard to tell where the sea ended and the sky started. At my second feed I asked if I could swim on the other side of the boat so I could watch the sunrise. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wasn't going to miss it.”

The English Channel is renowned as a busy shipping lane and Ali's support boat had to guide her past several large ships including one oil tanker which meant Ali treading water for a few minutes to let it pass. Numerous texts and emails were sent to Ali's family on the boat - and the messages were passed to Ali on a whiteboard which dangled almost in the water at sea level - and in Ali's sight line.

The “millpond” conditions changed around lunchtime - and for the last two hours Ali was battling Force Five winds, but at 2.32 pm Ali finally reached land and scrambled up rocks to clear the water.

The former Kings' and Peter Symonds College pupil said: “This whole journey has been one of the best and one the worst things I have ever done. There has been an overwhelming amount of support from friends and family and would like to say particular thanks to Winchester Penguins and Winchester Rotary club that have so generously sponsored me.”