A FIREFIGHTER bidding to swim the English Channel solo next week admits he’s terrified.

Pete Walker, 39, has been busy training for the gruelling event in the sea at Clacton.

He’s become a regular sight in Martello Bay, and has even swum from Walton to Clacton to get fit for the marathon fundraiser.

Pete hopes to set off on the 21-mile route from Dover to Calais in around a week’s time – if sea conditions are right.

“It’s a childhood ambition,” said the firefighter, who lived in Clacton as a boy and was stationed with the brigade there.

“I did it in a relay team two years ago, and when I got back thinking ‘never again’, my colleagues at work said I should do it on my own next time.”

Pete, now of Great Notley and working in Chelmsford, has been training with Clacton long-distance swimmer Tom Gunning, whose 2006 bid to swim the channel was scuppered by rough conditions.

Pete is hoping a “weather window” will open up in the next fortnight. He’s already raised more than £16,000 for charities including the RNLI, Helen Rollason cancer support and the Firefighters’ Charity.

“Training has been quite hard – it’s been non-stop,” he said. “I’m totally fed up with it. All I do is swim, eat and sleep!”

The epic swim could take up to 15 hours.

Pete will have to dodge boats in the busy shipping lanes and cope with strong currents.

“I’m looking forward to getting it over and done with,” he admitted.

“I'm terrified, but once I’ve done it, it will be a real achievement.”

Wife Karen can’t wait to get her husband back on dry land.

“It’s not only taken over my life but hers as well,” said Pete.

“She’s looking forward to getting me back and me not going swimming every day at the crack of dawn.”

To sponsor Pete go to www.justgiv ing.com/petewalker1