A SPONSORED swim with a difference has been organised to raise money to boost depleted coffers at Chagford Swimming Pool.

‘Swim the Devon coast’ challenge is to swim lengths at Chagford Pool from now until September 13, to cover the distance from Coombe Martin in North Devon to Lyme Regis just over the East Devon border in Dorset.

The distance is 355km — the pool length is 34m so 10,441 lengths are needed.

The challenge can be divided into: Coombe Martin to Marsland Mouth, 138k (4,059 lengths); Plymouth to Starcross, 167k (4,912 lengths); Exmouth to Lyme Regis 50k (1,471 lengths).

A spokesperson from the pool said: ‘We need swimmers to participate and every length swum will be counted towards the cumulative total. Participants will be able to notify us during the challenge so there can be regular updates of how far we have swum.

‘By undertaking the challenge we hope that funds can be raised for the pool by asking participants to gain sponsorship for their overall effort or a specific number of lengths.

‘The overall income for this season has been badly affected and there are always running costs to be covered. Fundraising events run by the committee usually help towards financing capital projects, maintenance and replacements.’