A SELF-proclaimed 'mermaid' has undertaken her ‘biggest challenge yet’, swimming from Old Harry Rocks to The Needles for two charities.

Elizabeth Mills, a 44-year-old swimming teacher from Corfe Mullen, set herself the ‘hardest swim she has swum’.

She covered around 23km to raise money for Project Planet Earth, a charity that fights plastic pollution and Level Water, a charity that provides swimming lessons for children and adults with disabilities.

Despite battling the weather, the tides and a swarm of jellyfish, which left her with minor stings, Elizabeth completed the journey in her mermaid tail in the ‘fastest ever time’ of five hours and 27 minutes.

She said: “I loved every minute of it. It was such a great feeling to have swum that far.

“Now I’ve got to think about my next challenge.”

(Image: Elizabeth Mills)

Elizabeth set off on Saturday, July 13, at 9.32am, accompanied by a team who supported her on a boat throughout the five-and-a-half hours she spent in the sea.

A pod of dolphins also joined in the fun, escorting the boat for part of the journey.

Elizabeth completed the challenge in her mermaid tail, meaning she had to kick with her legs together for the entirety of the swim—a skill she teaches to other mermaid enthusiasts in Dorset.

She said: “The whole entire propulsion from doing the kick is fantastic, especially if you catch a wave.”

She added: “The most challenging part was when I could see The Needles, but they didn’t seem to get any closer.

“It got quite choppy and became difficult to balance on my tail.”

Olly Rush, an eco campaigner, wild swimming veteran and founder of Project Planet Earth, joined Elizabeth for the first stretch of the swim and welcomed her to the finish line.

Elizabeth and Olly RushElizabeth and Olly Rush (Image: Elizabeth Mills) “It was brilliant to swim part of the way with Olly Rush, because he’s an amazing swimmer and he’s conquered some really big things which I aspire to do,” added Elizabeth.

Nearly £1,600 has been raised so far for the two chosen charities.

Elizabeth said: “Those two charities are really close to my heart because I am a swimming teacher and obviously an open water swimmer.

“I want to thank everyone for their support, people have just been fantastic with their donations.”