TV presenter Christine Bleakley has crossed the Channel in one hour and 40 minutes on waterskis.

She set off just before 8am on Friday on her mission to water-ski across the Channel to raise money for Sport Relief.

And she arrived in Calais shortly before 9.30am.

The presenter, who co-hosts the BBC television programme The One Show, has been training since October, mainly in the gym and on lakes.

It was a massive physical challenge for Miss Bleakley who, before training, had never been water-skiing.

She had to contend with freezing temperatures and skiing on rough water, guided by a pilot through the busy shipping lanes.

Christine said she was inspired to take up the challenge after visiting Uganda last year and meeting a family whose mother had died of aids.

She said: "At the age of 13, the oldest daughter had become the sole carer of herself and her five brothers and sisters, living in a hut."

She's being trained by Professor Greg Whyte, who also trained comedian David Walliams for his successful Channel swim, also for Sport Relief, in July 2006.

People can support her challenge by donating via the Sport Relief website.

See this week's East Kent Mercury and Dover Mercury for a picture special on Christine's epic trip.