Frances Anderson, of Fairfields, has successfully crossed the English Channel – dubbed 'the Everest of swimming'.

The crossing is a 21-mile journey from Dover, Kent, to Calais, negotiating one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

But Frances, 37, managed to complete the gruelling challenge in 19 hours 46 minutes, to go down in history as one of the 966 solo Channel conquerers to date.

And her achievement is even greater after she injured her shoulder just 2½ hours into the feat.

Although the injury slowed her time down considerably, Frances, was delighted with her epic achievement.

She said: "It feels pretty amazing and the enormity of it hasn't sunk in yet.

"The journey was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done and after my shoulder packed in it was a bigger battle than what I thought it would be."

Frances, a freelance artist, left Dover's Shakespeare Beach at 4am on Saturday, July 26. She reached French soil at 11.46pm.

On her way, Frances had to fight against more than just her injury. Changing water temperatures – sometimes as low as 15 degrees – and the mental strain also played their part in the Channel bid.

"The swim was physically and mentally the hardest thing I have done," she said.

"Although you can prepare physically, nothing can prepare you mentally."

So how did Frances overcome her psychological demons?

"There were a lot of scary moments and I lost the plot several times. To be honest, every time I was at my lowest point something happened to spur me on.

"One was a little seagull which swam with me for six hours. Everytime I felt really low I turned my head to the side and it was looking at me."

Describing her experience, she added: "In the middle, I got cold and got quite scared and my shoulder was slowing down.

"My hands and arms had gone really white. I kept reciting my date of birth and because I could remember it I thought I must be all right.

"I also had a warm drink and poured some on my hands and down my front which seemed to work.

"The next thing I knew, the water started to warm up and I knew France was nearly there and I had to work hard for it.

"It was at that point I decided the only way I was getting out was if they pulled me out or I reached the end."

She also praised her crew for helping her complete the famous stretch.

"I was helped by an amazing pilot, crew and my support crew, without all of whom I wouldn't have made it.

"I know it is a solo swim but there are a lot of people who make it possible."

And Frances, who has swum part of the Channel before as a relay member, is due to raise a good sum of money for charity.

Supporting the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund, Frances is hoping to bag more than £1,500 for the cause.

You can still sponsor Frances by visiting her blog at http://mychannelswim.blogspot.com/