ISLE of Wight MP, Bob Seely, fired the starting gun as scores of swimmers took part in the 66th pier to pier sea swim race between Sandown and Shanklin yesterday (Saturday).

More that 120 swimmers took part in the 1.8 mile race which began at the beach alongside Sandown Pier and ended at the Shanklin and Sandown Rowing Club.

Shanklin Pier was destroyed in a storm in the 1980s.

This year, for the first time, organisers included a category for swimmers to wear wet suits for the race.

One of the organisers of the swim, Lindsey Shenton, 60, said: "I have been swimming since they used to jump off the end of the pier."

Mr Seely, who recently completed his own swim across the Solent, said he would do the pier to pier swim next year.

He said: "I really admire everyone who does this swim. Swimming is a good challenge as I found out last week."