Suffolk soprano Laura Wright has urged people of all ages and abilities to bite the bullet and sign up to take part in this year’s Great East Swim – as she officially launched the 2015 event.

More than 2,000 people are expected to don their wetsuits and dive into the reservoir at Alton Water in June, which the England rugby team’s national anthem singer will take part in.

Speaking at the launch, Laura, who will also sing at the open water event, said: “For me this is all about getting people to take part and getting people involved in something a bit out of the ordinary. I have never done open water swimming before so it is something new for me.”

“The Great East Swim is about taking part and seeing a beautiful part of Suffolk. I think it is going to be really exciting.”

She added: “To be a Suffolk girl and to be launching it – it feels amazing.”

Participants this year will be able to take on a half mile, one mile, two mile or five kilometre distance and people can enter as an individual or as a team.

Chris Bally, Suffolk County Council assistant chief executive, added: “It is very much a safe event and we would encourage as many people as we possibly can to take part.”

Yesterday’s launch came as Laura was also announced as the new national ambassador for SportsAid, a Great East Swim sponsor, which aims to help young people overcome financial challenges in their bid to become a British sporting star.

She will also put her name to the Laura Wright SportsAid awards, which will give financial support to young Suffolk athletes.

The mezzo-soprano added: “I really do hope that by taking on the swim I can highlight the fantastic work that SportsAid does.”

For more information, or to enter the event on June 20, visit www.greatswim.org