A GROUP of children from a prep school are among the youngest ever to swim the English Channel in relay.

The pupils from Taunton Prep School, some still only 12, braved the cold waters and jellyfish to raise funds to help save an outdoor pool where many of them have trained.

The boys and girls took the plunge for charity to complete the challenge from Dover to Cap Gris, in France.

They were spurred on by the plight of Wivey Pool, in Wiveliscombe, which is attempting to head off potential closure due to spiralling energy bills.

Swimmer Jess, aged 12, said: “I was a bit nervous swimming the Channel because of jellyfish and swimming in the dark, but we have been training in the sea at Lyme Regis, so I’ve trained in the dark and been stung before so I felt properly prepared.”

Zoe, 13, said: “Swimming the Channel was one of the greatest achievements of my life and marked the end of a five-year dream.

"I love Wivey Pool and I have swum there since I was a baby.”

Olivia, 12, said: “We trained at Wivey Pool when there was ice and frost on the ground around the pool. The Channel felt warm compared to that.”

The swimmers, who had trained in open waters for two years before taking on the 21-mile marathon swim across the English Channel, raised a total of £6,000 for the pool through their efforts.

Liz Hurry, the chairman of Wivey Pool, said: “Wivey Pool is very grateful, impressed and in awe of what the children achieved - not just the money, but the whole Channel swim itself.

“It’s just amazing. 'Thank you very much' seems an easy thing to say for what was an incredible thing to do.”

A spokesperson for Taunton School said a total of 18 of its pupils aged between 12 and 14 swam in three teams of six.

The spokesperson added: "They are among the youngest in the world to take on the challenge."

The County Gazette recently reported how cost saving measures had been brought in at the 95-year-old pool in the town's recreation ground after it emerged its gas bill was set to be hiked from £7,000 last year to £28,000 this year.

READ MORE: Cost saving measures at Wivey Pool as gas bills soar.