Charity swimmers attempt Plymouth breakwater challenge

More than 200 people have taken part in a 2.2-mile (4km) sea swim from Plymouth breakwater for charity.

The swimmers - including triathletes, experienced swimmers and novices - took part in the challenge for the Chestnut Appeal.

The prostate cancer charity raises money to provide extra nursing, treatments and additional technology in Devon and Cornwall.

Boats, personal water crafts and paddle boarders provided safety cover.

It is the fourth year the challenge has taken place, with the number of competitors increasing each year.

Volunteers on Plymouth's Tinside beach provided hot drinks and soup as the swimmers came ashore. Some completed the challenge in about 40 minutes, while others took about two hours.

Money raised by the breakwater event will go towards a new hi tech MRI fusion machine.

Carolyn Giles, a trustee of the Chestnut Appeal, said: "This one will actually make it a lot easier when they diagnose exactly where the cancer is in the prostate, which means they'll be hitting a very tiny area rather than they can at the moment."

Construction of Plymouth breakwater began in the early 19th Century to protect British ships anchoring in Plymouth Sound during the Napoleonic wars. It took about 30 years to complete and about four million tonnes of rock were used in its construction.