JERSEY’S cross-Channel relay swimming team stepped triumphantly ashore in France late on Friday night.

Bill Aston waded onto the beach just South of Cap Gris Nez after the seven-strong squad had spent 11 hours and one minute in the water.

Said team leader Sally Minty-Gravett minutes after the swim was complete: ‘We are all absolutely delighted.

We are all very happy it is done and dusted.’ The four-time solo Channel swimmer was referring to the fact that the original scheduled attempt on Thursday had been postponed because of rough seas and high winds, and it had looked likely it was going to be put off until next year until the weather and conditions improved dramatically.

Sarah-Jane Stirling was the first in the water from Sanfire Ho, west of Dover at 10.52 am on frirday when the bid got underway.

She was followed at hourly intervals by Ian Jones, Ilse Eiselen, Bill Aston, Minty-Gravett, Anthony Smith and Lucy Biard.

All the Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club members, apart from Aston, have completed successful solo crossings this summer.

Stirling, Jones, Eiselen and Aston had completed their second hour, but the latter was so close to the shore that he was allowed to finish and reached the beach at 10.53 pm French time.

Minty-Gravett reported a smooth crossing: ‘There were no problems.

We had a great day.

‘It was the icing on the cake after our solo crossings.

We had the chance to swim together for fun.

We had a laugh on the boat and it was good experience for Bill to finish the swim.

He has not done a solo swim before but this has given him a taste of what to expect.’ The swimmers are due to arrive back in Jersey on Satutrday evening after Flybe agreed to postpone their flights so yesterday’s bid could go ahead.

The relay was sponsored by Collins Stewart CI Ltd.