FROM swimming with tankers to thrashing around with dolphins – Beth French likes a bit of variety in the water.

Beth, 34, a massage therapist at Marlborough House, in Middle Street, Taunton, is back home after swimming the English Channel.

She completed the Dover-Calais marathon in just over 15 hours, covering 30 miles instead of 22 after tides and currents took her off course.

Beth said: “It was amazing – I really enjoyed it.

“The water was really calm and it was a lovely sunny day with no wind.”

Beth, who was in a wheelchair in her teens due to ME, raised £700 for Action on ME in sponsorship.

Back on terra firma in Taunton she said: “I’m going to keep on swimming – I’m off to Hawaii soon when I’ll be swimming with dolphins instead of tankers.”