An endurance swimmer has died in France trying to cross the English Channel.

Shropshire man Nick Thomas set off from Samphire Hoe, near Dover, at 5.45am yesterday.

He was approaching the French coast but his support team said he passed out in the water and was rushed to hospital in Calais.

He sadly passed away earlier today, challenge organisers Enduroman confirmed.

Mr Thomas, an experienced endurance athlete, who has competed in many greulling ironman and ultraman triathlons, was attempting a non-wetsuit solo crossing.

He seemed in good spirits before setting off early yesterday but conditions were not ideal, his team said on Twitter while plotting his progress.

Mr Thomas reached French inshore waters at 6.05pm some 12 hours after setting off.

Wind and waves had dropped as the day progressed and regular feeds saw him reaching closer to France.

At 9.30pm he was pushing for the shore but passed out in the water.

He was pulled from the water on to his escort team's boat where the crew gave CPR before heading to shore.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are offering assistance to the family of a British national following his death in Calais, France."

Tributes have since been paid to Mr Thomas on social media which were led by the Enduroman team.

Fellow members of the endurance challenge community have been leaving their tributes to an inspirational and "great bloke".