THE STAGE is set for people looking to dive head first into the largest swimming challenge in the Lake District's history.

Ambleside-based swim company Head to the Hills have created the Great Lake District Swim Challenge which will see entrants swim up to 17 lakes across two weekends.

The event is split into the east and west lakes but for those attempting both challenges they will be swimming a combined distance of 16.1km when the event kicks off on August 7.

Entrants must be aged 16 and above and be able to swim a mile in under 50minutes.

Event organiser Andrea Kelly said: "It's not an athlete level event. Open water swimming is a really accessible sport to all people of different shapes and sizes. They have to be able to do the course within the time limits but that's very manageable for regular swimmers. We can't predict the weather and it might take longer in bad weather because of the chop."

Head to the Hills have hired a minibus to ferry competitors from one lake to the next and it will be an achievement just to fit all of the lakes into the schedule, which runs from 7.30am to 6pm.

"We don't stop and we have to keep going," said Andrea, "but we're not following them with a whip - it's a fun challenge."

The water temperature varies from lake to lake but it is expected to be between 14-18degrees but Wastwater and Buttermere will be the coldest because there is more exposed slate on the lake bed.

Andrea said: "For most people the toughest ones are the bigger courses like Windermere because they are big bodies of water. It's a mental challenge - you can be a good swimmer but naturally when you find yourself in a large body of water it's quite scary."

The Great Lakes Challenge, taking place on August 7-9 at Wastwater for the west section and at Windermere on September 4 for the east section, is the only challenge of its kind in the UK.

"It's probably the only place in the UK where you can do this," said Andrea

"That's the appeal that the Lake District really does have.

"Just because people are swimmers doesn't mean they'll know how to handle themselves as most of the country doesn't have access to these lakes.

"It's a challenge people haven't been able to do before."

Andrea is hoping the event, which costs £349pp including two nights at a hostel and breakfast and lunch, will have a knock on impact on the region's economy.

She said: "This will put it on the map and people will be able to see the Lake District as the top venue for open water swimming and this will help boost tourism."

Only groups of between five and 15 can enter each event, which will also feature education on local environmental issues to increase awareness, as organisers are keen to promote sustainability and minimize the impact on the environment.

For more information visit www.headtothehills.co.uk or call 015394 33826.