Mark Elliott, 38, completed the most lengths out of their team despite not having swum seriously since he completed his 800m swimming badge at school.

“I got some really good tips off Ollie, mostly around keeping my legs and bum elevated,” he said.

“Apparently, I naturally sink.”

“In the end, I had to totally relearn how to swim, breathe and position myself in the water.”

As well as relearning the skill, he added that he bought buoyancy shorts to “aid me in my floatation”.

Mark swam 386 lengths in two sessions including 5km (3.1miles) in one go which was three times further than he had ever swum before.

“I enjoyed doing it and will continue to swim in the future,” he said.

“I’ve got skills that will last me a lifetime.”

Collectively, BBC colleagues across the country have raised more than £100,000 for Children in Need.