DIVER Keith Creed hopes to have enough in the tank to complete a gruelling underwater swim for charity before going on to attempt a world record.

Keith, of Hodder Way, Whitefield, plans to swim 22 miles, the distance of the English Channel, in just over a day at the pool of Bury's Village Hotel.

The effort, to raise money for the spinal cord charity Aspire, is part of his training programme to swim the longest distance ever below the surface of open water and will take place on December 5.

Keith (38), pictured during his training, will need around 30 cylinders of oxygen and will take glucose energy drinks in sealed containers. He will then prepare for the world record attempt next year, on a stretch of water that has yet to be identified.

Keith's record attempt will involve a boat with support team and diver to keep him supplied with oxygen. The current record is 66 miles, with Keith hoping to manage 100 miles.

Keith said: "It started off when I agreed to do the charity swim, which seemed a reasonable challenge.

"I started to look at all the different world records, including swimming underwater with scuba gear, and it developed from there.

"I've spoken to so many divers who understand what I am doing and they all think that I'm crazy.

"The indoor scuba attempt will be much harder, because for the world record I will be carried along on a tidal current.

"We don't know where that will be happening, but we are hoping for a river that leads out onto a tidal stream."

The 38-year-old lorry driver has had equipment donations from scuba firms Cressi-sub and Aquatech, and is hoping to receive corporate sponsorship.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Keith should call 0800 370880 or log on to: www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk