Fundraising swimmers completed a fantastic 2,457 lengths in our first ever Swimathon.

The event, which was sponsored by the Observer and Accrington Rotary Club, saw 28 teams complete sponsored swims for a charity or community group of their choice.

And one of the teams from Pioneer Swimming Club completed a whopping 192 lengths.

Mark Schofield, of the Accrington Rotary Club, said the Swimathon was a fantastic success.

He said: "We are delighted with how things went. All of the swimmers did a fantastic job and everyone enjoyed the event."

The Swimathon was held on Sunday, November 25 at the new swimming pool at Accrington Academy.

Each team was given the option of donating some of their proceeds to the Observer’s Finley’s Friends Appeal or the Rotary Club.

Mark said they are in the process of tallying up a fundraising total.

Among the participants was a team from the Oswaldtwistle Slimming World Club, which was raising money for a neo-natal unit at an area hospital.

Team leader Emma Clements said they had a great time taking part. She said: "We are waiting to hear how much they have raised but they did manage to swim 69 lengths, which they were thrilled about."

The team from Gaskell Motor Bodies in Great Harwood swam 85 lengths in aid of the East Lancashire Hospice.

Nick Gaskell, who owns the body shop, said he was thrilled with the team’s performance.

He said: "We had lots of support from local businesses too. Ellison Printing based in Rishton, Vantage Motor Group and Neville Gee Recruitment all supported and donated money to East Lancashire Hospice.

"Angela from The Chicken Shop was quite an experienced swimmer and had drummed up a lot of local support in her shop, raising alone a total of £222 from sponsors."

And Team Observer completed 75 lengths for the Finley’s Friends Appeal.

Other groups involved in the event included Hyndburn Comets; Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Violence Team; Accrington Academy; St Mary’s Primary School, Oswaldtwistle; Heathland School, Accrington; Baxenden Slimming World; and Accrington Specsavers.