Northgate Primary School pupils hit the pool at Grange Paddocks in aid of Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie

Children at Northgate Primary School in Bishop's Stortford made a splash at the weekend, raising more than £5,200 for two cancer charities.

The youngsters, all but two in Year 4 and mostly aged nine, took part in Swimathon 2022, an annual event organised by Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

In all, 28 pupils from the Cricketfield Lane primary took the plunge at Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre, split into two groups to swim over two days.

Each boy and girl completed 40 lengths of the 25m pool to earn their sponsorship, clocking up 28km (17.4 miles) between them.

Dad Dave Stenson, who helped organise the event, said the tough endeavour had helped the children understand the importance of making an effort to help those in need or less fortunate.

He thanked Grange Paddocks pool manager Jordan Whitfield, Waitrose's Tracy Whitfield, who supplied treats for the young swimmers, and Pavel at the Castle Park coffee van for help with fundraising and a lemon drizzle cake.

The 28 swimmers were: Charlotte Stenson, Niamh Yeoman, Eden Fullbrook, Georgia Scadding, Anya Quail, Noémie Sibert, Jack Johnson, Anabella Mackay, Jackson Bramall, Dilys Evans, Griff Evans, Eira Evans, Lottie Burman, Monty Brocks, Kenny Millsom, Luca Tse, Millie Smith, Martha Spitall, Archie Wright, Susie Firrell, Will Etherington, Harry Leeks, Elyse Folland, James Smith, Theo Towse-Reed, John Fletcher, Jack Gill and Penelope Runyan.