A Bradford teacher whose attempt to swim the Channel was ended by bad weather has vowed to try again next year.

Dee Llewellyn, 24, was swimming 21 miles from England to France to raise money for Sport Relief.

After a flying start she felt confident that she would be able to make it to the other side.

The supply maths and IT teacher said: "The weather seemed ideal. There was a strong wind behind me and that was perfect. It was calm for the first hour but after that the weather changed and the water got really choppy.

"It got really bad and I was being lifted and carried a few feet. It got impossible and I swallowed so much salt water.

"Even now my mouth and tongue are really sore. The waves were really high as well. When they pulled me out I didn't really know where I was."

Dee, of Radfield Road, Odsal, was forced to stop six miles from Calais, but remains upbeat.

"I am definitely going to try again next year," she said. "I know I can do this and I was looking forward to it.

"It is a shame that the weather was so unpredictable but that is what makes it such a challenge."

There were swimmers from all over the world attempting to cross the English Channel, Dee said, but none had been successful because of the poor conditions. "I am determined to do it, and to show off my Bradford T- shirt when I get to the other side," she added. She raised about £1,000 for the charity and is having a rest before her next big race in four weeks' time - along a 21.6-mile course in Loch Lomond in Scotland.