RESIDENTS made a splash on Portland as they took part in a sponsored swimathon to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare.

Osprey Leisure Centre was abuzz with activity on Saturday afternoon as swimmers took to the pool to complete as many lengths as possible in an hour.

From 18 to 86, people of all abilities put their strokes to the test as part of six-people relay teams to raise money for the hospice charity.

Speaking from the poolside, community fundraiser for Weldmar Diane Bentley said: "The atmosphere down here is absolutely fantastic, it’s all about people having fun and enjoying themselves.

"Each of the teams are being sponsored to swim to raise money for Weldmar and there is a registration fee as well.At the end of it they all get given a swimming hat, a goodie bag and a medal.

"What is lovely is it is bringing the people together that didn’t know each other beforehand. The support of the community is fantastic we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without it.

"This is the very first swimathon event for Weldmar and it will definitely become an annual event it has had such a good response."

Seven teams took to the lanes to see who could tally the most lengths as up-temp music played across the pool and supporters cheered them on.

Participant and Aqua Fit instructor Margaret Fridd said: "I teach at the pool four times a week and there is probably 80 ladies that come to my class, so I asked for volunteers, we have three teams all together- the Aqua Belles.

"One of our ladies swimming is 86. It is tiring, but the thing is you push yourself to do something like this, It’s good fun. I think we should have raised quite a bit for Weldmar, over Christmas we had big pot for charity instead of doing Christmas cards and we raised £300 which I will add to the sponsorships."

The swimathon is just one of a number of community fundraising events organised by Weldmar Hospicecare so it can continue to care for patients with cancer and other progressive conditions in homes across Dorset and the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.

Nigel Williams, Osprey general manager, said: "Being a community minded leisure centre we love supporting charitable events and the best way of doing it is by getting people to get fit and change lifestyles as well as fundraising for a good cause."