SWIMMERS in and around Taunton are gearing up again for the 28th annual Soroptimist Swimathon which will take place in February.

In the last 27 years, the swimathon has raised over £577,000 for local charities and last year alone £16,000 was raised.

Organisers are hoping to do even better in 2016.

This year, money raised will be going to Reminiscence Learning, Horseshoes and Handprints, School in a Bag, and Barnardo's South West.

The event will take place at Taunton School over the weekend of February 20 and 21.

Christine Briggs, one of the organisers, said: "Everyone has a great time and it only takes an hour out of your weekend.

"You really do not need to be a good swimmer, you just need to be able to swim 50 metres as teams of six swim in relay fashion for 53 minutes.

"It’s all about having fun while raising money for local good causes.

"Everyone gets a medal and there are lots of trophies to be won as well.

"All of our charities are local organisations who rely on the generosity of local people to fund their much needed work and for 27 years we have been able to provide some of that additional support.

"We are very grateful to all of our sponsors Taunton School, Alpha Trophies, Milsted Langdon, Rockwell Printers and Timpson.

"This year in addition we have been very pleased to be sponsored by TSB Bank who have granted us £100 towards our running costs.

"Because of the generosity of all of our sponsors this means that every penny raised during the weekend goes to the charities."

If you would like to take part, get a team together and book a lane by calling the Swimathon Booking Officer on 01823-423187, emailing taunton.swimathon@outlook.com or book via the website: sigbi.org/taunton/soroptimist-swimathon.

You can also get an entry form from the TSB Bank in North Street, Taunton.