ALAN Turk is a man with a mission. But this is a mission with a difference.

Later this year, the Bromsgrove resident, a long distance swimmer for 20 years, plans to swim two lengths of Lake Windermere, England's largest, for the THIRD time.

Alan, of Foxwalks Avenue, has successfully completed the 21-mile course twice since 1996 and is now aiming for the hat-trick.

"I just want to do it again, it's as simple as that," he said. "It's my 20th year in the sport and I want the hat-trick. It's a nice feeling to be one of the few people who have done it."

Lorry driver Alan, who has completed 15 lengths of Lake Windermere in his career, swims between six and ten miles a week while carrying five pounds in weight as part of his rigorous training programme. And when he's not swimming, he's doing weight training.

Alan, aged 48, will compete in the two-way championships, which he won in 1999, on August 16 and 17 and will swim two ten and a half mile lengths from 6pm. He is currently one of 11 people signed up.

"I think it will take me between 12 and 14 hours," he added. "The first time it took me 12 hours and 15 minutes and just over 14 hours in 1999."

Together with a three-man crew rowing alongside, Alan will swim front crawl through the night, guided only by lantern light as Lake Windermere, in the Lake District, is popular with water skiers during the day.

But, as Alan recalls, swimming at night does have its hazards.

"It's difficult to navigate if mist comes down," he said. "I had to abandon the first time when the lantern on the boat broke and we were swimming round in circles."

In order to fulfil his hat-trick dream, Alan is appealing to businesses in the area to help him raise the £600 needed to cover costs.

Any sponsor money above that figure will be donated to the charity chosen by a sponsor drawn at random.

Alan started long distance swimming following a trip to his local swimming baths in 1983 when, after swimming five miles, he was handed an application form for an event.

That turned out to be the international trials and it was not long before he was in the Great Britain squad, with who he competed in Belgium.

Among his other swimming accolades is one length of Loch Rannock in Scotland and the eight-mile Torbay sea championships.

If you are able to sponsor Alan, call him on 01527 831898.