THOUSANDS of people from all corners of the world have converged on a very chilly Windermere for the Great North Swim.

Swimmers and spectators alike descended on the Low Wood Hotel’s watersports centre yesterday, for the event which will continue until tomorrow.

Ages and abilities ranged from those taking part for the first time to Swansea swimmer Tom Allen, who won today's elite men’s race to cheers from the packed crowd.

After storming to victory in a time of 17 minutes and 11 seconds, he told the Gazette: “I’m pleased with my time.

“Over all I’m pleased with the swim. I’ve been out of form for a while so it’s nice.

“I’ve raced in most of the conditions you’ll find so I’m used to a bit of choppy water!

“I’ll definitely be back next year.”

American Christine Jennings, currently ranked fifth in the world, won the elite women’s race this morning, saying the water was “very choppy and cold”.

Organisers said the water temperature was 15.4 Celcius when the first swimmers set off.

But the day wasn’t just about the creme de la creme.

Thousands of amateur swimmers travelled from across the UK to brave the water, setting off in groups of hundreds at a time.

Endmoor resident, Graham Braithwaite, 50, said: “They said the start would be the hardest and they were right.

“It’s difficult trying to get your own space when so many people go at once.”

He explained that he has put in a lot of training for the day, including swimming at Millerground further along the lake to get a feel for the water.

“It was still muich chopppier than I thought,” he added.

“I’m certainly glad I’ve finished it!”

Great North Swim is the UK's biggest open water swimming event, beginning yesterday and ending tomorrow.

Several swimmers also revealed that they are raising money for charity through the event.

Sarah Braun, 27, from Nottingham, is supporting Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

“I kept getting dragged out to the side and a couple of times I hit gravel,” she said.

“I had four bananas before we started though so I managed to complete it and the money will go to a great cause.”

Mark and Kim Bennett and daughter, Nina, from Cheshire, raced together for Macclesfield Hospital, where Nina’s friend’s mother was treated before her death from cancer.

She said: “It means a lot to us.

“I also beat my dad which I was very pleased about!”

The water level this year was lower than last year, when the jetties were submerged under water.

Friday and Saturday’s events were also cancelled last year.

This morning’s weather forecast of strong winds prompted organisers to begin the elite races several hours earlier than planned.