Video: Former Burnley childminder cheers the nation with daily clips of her open water swimming adventures in stunning Lake District

When the pandemic hit last year lockdown meant that Catherine had to close her Keswick hotel, Appletrees, for long periods.

2020 should have been a landmark year for Catherine and her family. She and her husband Jason celebrated their silver wedding in August and Catherine turned 50 in November.

Parties, get togethers and a planned cruise all had to be put on hold and as Jason spends a lot of time in Burnley running his business, A and G Design Control and Automation Systems, Catherine needed a new focus.

Chatting to other hotel owners on a WhattsApp group kept her spirits up and when she saw one of them pursuing her hobby of open water swimming qualified chef Catherine asked if she could accompany them one day.

That was last summer and now Catherine, who spent several years working as a childminder in Burnley, is a familiar sight in Keswick's Derwent Water on a daily basis.

She even managed a quick swim on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. And in January she completed a personal challenge to take a daily dip, whatever the weather or temperature. The lowest recorded temperature on record in Derwent Water is 3°C/37.4°F.

And you can't miss Catherine, as she always wears a colourful flowery swimming cap.

"I am addicted, I absolutely love it, it's one of the best things I've ever done," said Catherine who is mum to Amy (23) and Grace (21).

"People often shout and wave and ask if it's cold as they walk by."

Catherine is usually joined by her dog, Polly, and friend and fellow hotel owner Sue Freeman and the video clips she shares with family and friends on social media have proved to be an instant hit, cheering people up in bleak times as they watch her in the water with some of the UK's most stunning scenery as her backdrop.

And for Catherine, who has not been able to see her little one-year-old granddaughter Lily, for several months, her new hobby has been a boost for her physically and mentally.

She said: "There are so many benefits to cold water swimming including better circulation, increased metabolism, boosted immune system and better skin and for me personally it has really boosted my confidence and self esteem."

Open water swimming dates back to 1810 when Lord Byron swam several miles to cross the Dardanelles from Europe to Asia. The FINA World Aquatics Championships has featured open water swimming events since 1992 and in 2018 fitness expert Ross Edgley became the first person to swim around mainland Great Britain after completing his odyssey in 157 days.

For Catherine and Sue open water swimming is all about having fun but they take the safety aspects very seriously and always wear protective footwear and gloves along the bright swim caps which also help to make them easy to spot in the water.

"You can't just dive in," said Catherine. "As the temperature is so cold you have to go into the water gradually, allowing your body to get used to the cold.

"We don't stay in the water for long periods of time either as it is very easy for hypothermia to set in."

The duo always follow the safety guidelines of warming up gradually with lots of layers after leaving the water and rounding off with a warm drink.

Catherine said: "I feel fantastic after I've been for a swim, it just gives you such a boost and a great feeling, makes you feel glad to be alive.

"I don't want to sound too cheesy but you do feel at one with nature."