COLD water training has been undertaken by young swimmers taking the plunge to raise money for a new school pool.

Westholme School, Blackburn, wants to stage a Dover-to-France swim with three relay teams of six to raise money for a new state of the art swimming complex with a 25 metre pool.

Ten seniors and 14 junior swimmers were entered in competition swims organised by the British Long Distance Swimming Association this summer.

The first 1,000-meter swim was in Bala Lake, the largest natural lake in Wales, followed by a course set in Salford Quays for the Commonwealth Games.

And the intrepid team overcame the threat of jellyfish in the first sea swim from The Albert Dock in Liverpool. The final event of the season was held at Derwent Water, from Kettlewell to Keswick.

Rebecca Stones, 17, wants to swim the channel to fulfil a "lifetime ambition."

She said: "As I left the water and climbed on the jetty I could hardly stand. Nevertheless, I admire the other teammates, some of whom are only 12!"

The school previously earmarked Rivington Reservoir, near Chorley, for its pupils to take their first outdoor training plunge, but the venue was abandoned amid safety fears.