A TEAM of Colchester soldiers are in training to swim across the English Channel.

The group from Colchesterbased-16 Medical Regiment will swim a relay across the 22 miles from Dover to Calais.

The team of eight medics have called the challenge Exercise Serpents Swim. Each medic will swim for an hour before a colleague takes over with each swimmer expected to do at least two stints.

The swimmers have been training for four months and are due to set off across the Channel on Friday, subject to weather and tidal conditions.

The swim is expected to take up to 24 hours.

The team is not raising money for charity, but is taking it as a team-building exercise and to test members’ own metal.

Major Anne Vickerstaff said: “Swimming the English Channel will be a challenge for us to take on together, but we’re motivated, confident and looking forward to getting into the water.

“The training has been tough with a mixture of endless lengths of the garrison pool and swimming in the North Sea at Walton.

“All of the early mornings and cold water will be worth it when we swim ashore at Cap Griz Nez.”

Members of 16 Medical Regiment provide medical support to 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Specialist personnel in the Colchester-based unit include consultant orthopaedic surgeons, biomedical scientists and combat medical technicians.

They are trained and equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter or aircraft.