A FATHER-of-two planning to swim the English Channel to raise £20,000 for charity had his challenge halted – by traffic queues at Dover.

Piers Lewis, 46, has spent two years training for the 22-mile swim while fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust in his spare time.

He was due to take on the challenge over the weekend, but was forced to rethink his plans after long traffic delays through Kent.

The huge jams – some as long as 12 miles yesterday – ensued after French officials stepped up border controls at the port of Dover.

Holidaymakers have been told to expect further delays for weeks to come.

Gardener Mr Lewis, from Cassington, is now due to begin his swim tonight.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he said he was disappointed at having to make the change but was sure he would be finished by Wednesday.

He added: "It has been two years of hard training. Two years of missing my family grow up. Two years of missing friends.

"Two years. Nothing compared to a young teenager facing cancer."

He is raising money for the trust as two of his friends suffered from cancer when he was younger.

Visit justgiving.com/Piers-Lewis to donate.