Suffolk soprano Laura Wright and ex-England cricketer Matthew Hoggard took a dip in Alton Water as they train for the Great East Swim.

The Suffolk event takes place on June 20, and entries are continuing to flood in.

On Saturday, there was a training day at the reservoir near Holbrook, involving sessions with professional coaches, providing advice and guidance on open water swimming, as well as opportunities to take a supervised dip.

Singer Laura was preparing for her half mile swim on June 20, and was joined by Hoggard as he prepares to take on the challenge of swimming at four of the Great Swim events taking place across the UK this summer, in aid of the charity Cricket Without Boundaries (CWB).

He said: “I am delighted to be taking part in the Great East Swim to help Cricket Without Boundaries continue to grow the game in Africa and use it as a vehicle to deliver vital health messages.

“Cricket has given me so much over the years and it is great to be able to give something back.”

Entries are still open for the Great East Swim 2015, which last year attracted over two-thousand swimmers of all abilities. There’s a choice of one mile, two mile or five kilometre distances for anyone aged 16 and over, or a half mile course for younger swimmers and those looking for an introduction to open water swimming.

New this year is the ‘splash and dash’ on Friday June 19, which involves a half mile swim and 5km run for either solo athletes or as a pair.

The Great East Swim big event on Saturday June 20 will also feature a soprano performance by Laura Wright.

For supporters, there’s also a wide choice of food stalls, local produce and crafts in the farmers’ market, which runs alongside the event. Entry fees cost £27 for the half-mile, £33 for one mile, £37 for two miles and £39 for 5km.

For more information or to enter the Great East Swim visit www.greatswim.org.