A Denholme long-distance swimmer who this year became the first Yorkshire woman to swim across the English Channel to France and back again has been honoured with a glittering array of awards.

Liane Llewellyn, 28, was given a standing ovation as she received three awards at The Channel Swimming Association Dinner, held in Dover.

She was presented with the British Long Distance Swimming Association Swimmer of the Year trophy, the Fastest Two Way Swim of the Year trophy and the trophy for the Best Swimmer in Arduous Conditions.

She completed the 45-mile round trip to France and back in August in a total of 27 hours and 35 minutes.

Liane said she was shocked at the praise she got at the association’s dinner.

She said: “It was really nice. There were quite a lot of people there who had swum the channel themselves, so it was nice to be recognised by them. I wasn’t expecting them to make such a fuss really. I knew I would get a certificate and I knew I would get an award for the two-way swim but I didn’t expect them to make such a big thing, like saying it was the biggest swim of the year and for them all to stand up and everything.

“It was a bit of a shock really.”

After the arduous swim, Liane told how there were times when she thought the treacherous conditions were about to get the better of her.

She also managed to raise £3,500 for the Bradford Outward Bound Association through the swim. “It will go towards helping young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to take part in outdoor activities and courses,” she said.