A BOWNESS woman appeared live on morning television - while wading into the waters of Windermere.

Fay Preene chatted with This Morning's Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about the benefits and safety aspects of outdoor swimming as she entered the icy-cold water at Rayrigg.

“I love how free it is. I love the feel of the cold on my skin," Miss Preene, who swims without a wetsuit, told the Gazette.

She said there was a mental health benefit to swimming in cold water as the activity released endorphins, hormones that minimise pain and increase pleasure.

She also feels that putting her body under stress enables her to deal with day-to-day stresses better.

Miss Preene, 26, who works as a child sexual exploitation practitioner, said: “A huge part of it is the people you swim with.

"The outdoor swimming community is a wonderful community and, as much as the swimming part is fantastic, it’s who you go with, the lakeside chats, the coffee and cake afterwards, that makes the whole experience.”

She took appearing on live television in her stride, and says the absence of film crews - which ITV was unable to send due to the pandemic - helped to make it a more relaxed experience. Local filmmaker Ben Gerrish stepped in to record the piece.

The Westmorland Gazette: FLY: Fay Preene leaping into WindermereFLY: Fay Preene leaping into Windermere

Miss Preene took to wild swimming in earnest after moving to the Lake District four years ago. She is no stranger to freezing temperatures, and enjoys heading to higher altitudes for dips in ice-covered tarns.

“When you’re actually in the cold water with the ice, the sounds and the crunches, it’s a very magical experience,” she said.

The clip of Miss Preene chatting to Holly and Phil on This Morning, which aired on Tuesday, ends with her swimming off, away from the camera, with Holly asking: "Is she going to go to the other side?"