A TEAM from the Otters swimming school won the first school merit award in this year’s annual swimathon run by the Rotary Club of Minehead and the Quantocks.

The team of six - called the Cormorants – swam 79 lengths in 40 minutes.

The Otters entered 15 teams in all and raised £1,522 for the rotary club, who are donating the money to Knights Templar School’s pool in Watchet.

“Without this pool, many children and adults would not be able to learn to swim, so it is a big asset in our area and are very appreciative that the rotary club support the pool,” said Liz Stewart, who runs the Otters.

The swimming school has been established for 15 years and teaches at St Audries Bay Holiday Club and works with the fire service, first schools and children’s centre delivering swim programmes.

For more information, contact Liz Stewart on 07754 506126 or Jo Everett on 07854 445431.