SWIMMERS are being urged to take part in an annual challenge to help raise vital funds for cancer.

This year, swimathons will be taking place between April 27 and 29 and participants have the choice of conquering a range of distances, from 400m to 5km.

Hungerford and Kennet Leisure Centres are eager for people to sign up to help Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

Sue Johnson, who is taking part this year, said: “I hope it raises awareness and lots of funds for two charities which are both very important to our family.

"My dad was initially diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2011 and didn’t want to stop doing anything and he even kept swimming.”

Swimathon started in 1988 and since then more than £48m has been raised for different charities.

Visit: www.swimathon.org to find out more.