SWIMMERS bidding to cover the distance between Bolton and Beijing in a sponsored challenge have swam 4,425,500 metres, which leaves them with only 3,674,500 metres to complete their target.

Around 80 swimmers, aged from eight and 18, are covering a staggering 8,100,000 metres in local pools - which is the distance from Bolton to the Chinese capital - to raise money for the Bolton Metro Swimming Squad club.

The club's youngest member Bethany Atkinson, aged nine, said: "I am so proud to be in the club and proud that people want to sponsor me because they have seen our club in The Bolton News.

"I am benefiting from all this swimming by getting fitter, too," she added.

To back the club's fundraising challenge, people can log on to www.bmswimsquad.org.uk