A SPORTS centre lifeguard was part of a team of swimmers who successfully completed a cross Channel relay despite a close shave with a French fishing boat and stinging jellyfish.

Phil Taylor, a Leigh man who works at Howe Bridge sports centre, was part of the Warrington Dolphins Swimming Club team, along with Andy Wright, Claire Dickinson, Alan Pomfret, Nicola Wright, Joe Coy, and team manager Chris Carter who crossed from Shakespeare Beach at Dover to Cap Gris Nez.

Only one of the six had previously swam in the sea and only one had swam at night but eventually finished in 14 hours, with the final swimmers needing lightsticks due to the dark.