TWELVE swimmers from Taunton School took around 10 hours to swim around Jersey - their toughest and furthest challenge yet.

Swimming in relay, in two teams, pupils Millie and Freya Tyler, Flo Salter-Green, Hetty and Ollie James, Emma Hounslow, Ollie Heard, Darcie Coleman, Josh Green, Georgia Williams, Skyla Coate and Emily Lawton, who are in Years 8-13, set off from Elizabeth breakwater at 6.30am and finished at 5.15pm at St Hellier harbour on Monday.

The first team completed the swim in 9 hours and 41 minutes and the second team in 10 hours and 34 minutes. They all jumped in the sea and swam together at the end.

Somerset County Gazette:

They were supported by staff members Hamish McCarthy, swim coach and teacher, Ruth Coomber, teacher, Tom Raven, teacher, Hayley Mortimer, director of sport, and parent Jonathan Lawton.

They have raised money for Holidays For Heroes Jersey, a charity which provides free holidays on the island to any member or past member of HM Armed Forces with injuries, in mind or body, attributable to their service.

Florence Salter-Green said: “My favourite bit was when we touched the wall knowing that we had made it and beating our teacher’s record that he set in 1999.”

Hamish McCarthy said: ”I am so proud. To put 12 children around what I think is one of the hardest swims, in not the best conditions was absolutely fantastic. It takes courage, tenacity and resilience."