WARRINGTON'S Channel-swimming champion Sunny Anderson has just celebrated a new milestone she celebrated her 90th birthday on Tuesday.

The colourful character swam the English Channel in 1933, completing the challenge in 15 hours and 45 minutes.

"It was a schoolgirl ambition," said Sunny, "much to my headteacher's disgust!"

Sunny's first attempt at crossing the Channel was called off by her crew just half an hour from the shore, then her second swim was hit by a storm, but on the third try she completed the landmark challenge. But she says she wasn't ever tempted to do it again.

"You are exhausted," she said, "and wave drunk for days everything goes up and down!"

Sunny went on to become a pioneer of bikinis in the 1930s as her one-piece costume was uncomfortable to wear, but her two-piece creation led to a woman threatening to report her to the police for indecency!

Sunny was also actively involved in the promotion of hydrotherapy as a treatment for polio in the 1940s. She had just moved to Warrington with her late husband Bill and suggested the water treatment as an alternative to restrictive braces.

Sunny also worked as a swimming instructor, teaching at the Legh Street baths for 37 years.

"People still say to me today that I taught them to swim!" said Sunny.

Sprightly Sunny, of Ford Street, is now struggling with leg and eyesight problems, and is a huge fan of the talking newspaper version of the GUARDIAN, but she still leads an active lifestyle, attending social events and even swimming! She has also been made vice-president of the Channel Swimming Association and travelled to Dover for the official ceremony at the end of last year. Sunny has already had one party at her home, but is putting plans in place for a celebration at St Elphins Community Centre on January 20.