AN AUTHOR from Blackwood has taken on a gruelling swimming challenge with the help of an ex-Welsh Olympian to raise awareness of online bullying.

Scott McGlynn, aged 30, of Croeso Square, previously documented his own struggles with sexuality in his autobiographical novel Out — a story of his battle with bullies, anxiety and depression.

After receiving negative comments online recently, he decided to take on a 10-week swimming challenge to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bullying and to help others.

The blogger has also received the backing of Olympic and Commonwealth swimmer Tom Haffield, who gave him training tips and advice at the start of the challenge.

So far, Scott is six weeks into the challenge, swimming six days a week at leisure centres in Caerphilly, Newbridge, Cefn Forest and Cardiff Bay.

“I did it after a number of tweets and Instagram comments on the way I look and sound - [comments] calling me camp, stupid, gay and being told because I’m gay I could never be a man’s man,” he said.

“It’s really important to me, I’m a spokesman and public figure for LGBT community.

“When I get personally attacked and these ‘internet trolls’ are saying comments about me and judging me and most probably the rest of the LGBT community, I took it upon myself to change that, on what they think.”

“Tom was at the start showing me tips and advice but not now, unless he’s free the same time as me he will join me,” he added.

The Blackwood blogger aims to build up to 60 to 70 lengths a day by the end of the 10-week period setting himself “new challenges” every day at the pool. Since the success of his book, the blogger and celebrity interviewer has been listed in the 2016 and 2017 Pride Power List alongside celebrities such as Stephen Fry.

His popular podcast The Scott McGlynn Show, available on iTunes, features celebrity interviews and LGBT discussions and Mr McGlynn is planning to write a book exploring gay and transgender relationships.

For information, visit scottmcglynn.net