BBC presenter Christine Bleakley was making waves at the weekend when she came home to train for a Sport Relief challenge on Strangford Lough.

The Newtownards-born presenter plans to be the first woman to water-ski across the English Channel and, if she’s successful, will raise over £1 million pounds.

The co-presenter of the BBC’s charity sporting event started her training in Portaferry under the tutelage of the world’s disabled water-ski champion, Janet Gray.

A complete novice, Christine will have to stay afloat on her skis for more than an hour as she makes the 21-mile journey, facing the wake created by the sea traffic of the world’s busiest shipping channel.

Caroline Nolan from the Strangford Lough Office in Portaferry said: “Everyone here will be wishing Christine the very best with this challenge.”

This is just one of many Sport Relief challenges set to take place this year between March 19 and 21.

DAVID JEBB