SWIMMING: SWIMMER Jacy Wood is aiming to become only the second woman to swim the North Channel of the Irish Sea.

The 40-year-old Bradford on Avon Swimming Club member will attempt the treacherous crossing between Portpatrick, in Scotland, and Bangor, in Northern Ireland, later this summer.

Wood, who swam the English Channel in 2004, hopes to become the first swimmer to complete the 21.6-mile crossing at the first attempt.

But she will have to battle shifting tides, bitterly cold temperatures and poisonous jellyfish if she wants to write her name in the record books.

"People think I'm absolutely mad but they admire me for wanting to do something like this," she said.

"I had wanted to swim the English Channel since I was a child, so I was so pleased when I did it on my first attempt.

"The North Channel is the blue riband event of open water swimming. If I manage to make it across I will join a very elite group of people."

There have been just seven successful solo crossings since the first attempt in 1927 and several swimmers have died in the dangerous waters.

Wood is striving to emulate British swimmer Alison Streeter, who set a record time of nine hours, 53 minutes for her swim from Killantringan to Port Muck in August 1989.

She said: "It took me eight months to get back in the water after my English Channel swim.

"I remember I was just two miles off the French coast when the tide changed. I could see land but it took me another four hours to get there. I was sick the whole way across and afterwards I developed an ulcer."

Wood has devised a strict training regime to prepare for her latest challenge, which is likely to take place in July or August depending on the weather.

She swims six days a week in the Bradford on Avon pool and at Bath University and also trains in the fresh water at Vobster Quarry, near Frome.

Said Wood: "Everyone at Vobster has been so supportive. The water there can be colder than the sea so the lifeguards have to make sure you're not at risk from hypothermia.

"When you get out of the water your skin looks very red, like it has been slashed with razor blades. The lifeguards then ask you questions and measure your reaction time."

Wood will tackle the Irish Sea wearing just a swimming costume and goggles. She will be lathered in grease to protect her from the poisonous sting of the Lion's Mane jellyfish.

She must start her ordeal at 2am so she finishes in daylight. A boat will travel alongside her and the skipper will provide her with carbohydrate feeds.

She said: "We have to start at night, which is when all the jellyfish come to the surface. Some of them are as long as a family car and they have toxins in their tentacles.

"I will have to wear a glow-stick on my back so the boat can see me and try to guide me around the dangers."

At just 10 stone, the Bath-based mother of two is much lighter than previous successful swimmers.

She is raising sponsorship for the swim and to help contact her on (01225) 777565.