A teacher is leaving the classroom behind and taking to the sea in the name of charity.

James Rich, deputy headteacher at St Michael's Primary School in Lyme Regis, is participating in a sponsored swim from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight in August.

Mr Rich will swim the distance of approximately three and a half miles for the Aspire Charity.

Mr Rich said: "Aspire charity organise a number of swims for their charity including a cross channel swim, which is my long term goal.

"I have chosen the charity due to their amazing work with people with spinal cord injuries.

"Aspire also have the only fully integrated leisure centre in Europe, for disabled and able bodied people to train/enjoy together.

"As head of PE, I believe it is so important that sport is fully inclusive."

Before working at the school, James used to work at Dorset County Hospital, and saw first-hand those that were affected by spinal cord injuries.

To train for the big day, James has been swimming a few times a week, ready for the task in August.

He said: "I started by training in January at Bridport Leisure Centre, where I swam a few times a week.

"In late May, I started training in the sea, both in Lyme and at West Bay.

"I prefer swimming in the sea, although in the last few weeks I've needed to dodge the jellyfish.

"The recent great weather has certainly helped.

"The Portsmouth to Isle of Wight swim will be challenging as it's one of the busiest shipping lanes in Europe and there are lots of currents to contend with."

Mr Rich plans to swim from Seatown to West Bay to ready himself for the big day.

Andrew Ogierman, challenge events manager at Aspire, said: "We are delighted to welcome James to our Solent swim in August.

"This two and a half to three mile challenging swim across busy shipping lanes is not for the faint-hearted, but with appropriate training is very achievable, and we are confident James will succeed.

"The funds he raises on behalf of Aspire will go towards supporting spinal cord injured people to live independently, for example through an Aspire Grant to give someone the essential equipment they need."

You can sponsor James for his challenge by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/swimjames