WORCESTER people have been attempting to the swim the length of the river Severn.

Swimmers of all ages donned goggles to take part in the second annual Swim the Severn on Sunday, April 27, raising funds for street children in India.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Worcester Severn (RCWS), 49 people swam 97km (60.3metres) at Sansome Walk Swimming Baths, Worcester, with 19 more swimming 29km (18m)at the King's School's pool - making a grand total of 126km (78.3m).

The remaining 218km (135.5m) will be completed later this month when Worcester Swimming Club, Army, Sea and Air Cadets get involved.

"To see so many young swimmers enjoying themselves and at the same time raising money for others less fortunate was brilliant," said Gareth Morris, chairman of RCWS.

"Our grateful thanks go to all the swimmers and their sponsors and to Severn Waste Services of Evesham who kindly put up most of the cash needed to initiate the event."

Mr Morris hopes to raise £2,800 - money that will help street children of Jalandhar, in the Indian Punjab region, get an education.

With support from rotarians in Jalandhar and the Rotary Club of Jalandhar South, children will receive much-needed simple school uniforms, shoes, pens, pencils, books and vital healthcare.

"This year RCWS has applied for Rotary Grants," added Mr Morris, "and we are confident that when these are accessed by RCJS in India nearly £10,000 will become available to help the children.

"In these days of the credit crunch and difficulty with getting finance this is a tremendous amount of money which has been derived from the people of Worcester sponsoring the swimmers."

Teams that took part in Swim the Severn included Rotary Rubber Ducks; The Crofters; The Sea Cadets; The Milestone Swimming Club; The Severn Sojourners; The Water Rats; Flying Fish; Begley's Babes; and Aquabats.

To find out more about swimming the final 218km - on a date to be confirmed - call Mr Morris on 01886 833877.