THE first woman to swim the English Channel, Gertrude Ederle, has died in New Jersey at the aged of 98. In 1926, at the age of 19, Ederle swam the Channel from Cape Griz-Nez to Kingsdown, near Deal.

Her time of 14 hours 39 minutes for the 35-mile distance broke the previous record and stood as the women's record for 35 years. Only five men had completed the swim before her.

When she returned to her native New York City following her historic swim two million people lined lower Broadway to shower America's newest sporting hero with ticker tape.

From 1921 to 1925, Ederle went on to set 29 United States and world records for swimming races ranging from the 50-yard to the half-mile race.

Duncan Taylor, secretary of the Channel Swimming Association said: "Gertrude was one of the first people to go from France to England so I'm always wary of comparing swimmers but she was one of the pioneers of the sport. In those days communication was still by carrier pigeon - they had the escort boats but no radio."

"She kept her links with the association over the years so it is sad for us to hear that she has passed on, but very nice that she has received tributes from all over the world."

Mr Taylor added: "What a lovely way to be remembered."