A NELSON swimmer completed 20 miles at Pendle Leisure Centre and helped raise more than £2, 200 for charity.

University student John Drummond, 29, of the Padiham Road area of Burnley, was attempting to swim a continuous 2000 lengths -- the equivalent of 31 miles -- as part of the centre's 'Zoggs Millennium Challenge' sponsored by the swimwear manufacturer.

He managed to swim 1,300 lengths and raised £1, 200 for the Christie's Against Cancer double doughnut scanner appeal.

People also paid to guess the time it would take John to swim the distance.

If John had completed the swim, his time would have been close to 12 hours 30 minutes ,which was guessed by Marilyn Brown, of Nelson.

Mrs Brown received a Panasonic portable CD player from Ruth Sutton, of sponsors Weston's, in Foulridge, tues 7pm.

John said: "I'm in my final year at university so I wasn't able to devote a lot of time to it but I am pleased with how I did.

"I thought it was about time I did something for charity and I have been swimming for a while. It was worth doing and I'd probably like to have another go at that distance but not just yet."

A long distance swim has been organised annually by Pendle Leisure Centre, including challenges in Windermere, Blackpool and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Up to 50 people took part in this year's challenge but unlike John they decided to spread the 2,000 lengths out over several visits to the centre.