AN ELEVEN-year old swimmer has gone the distance to swim the length of the English Channel.

Max Franklin, from Fair Oak, dived into the marathon swimming challenge to raise more than £1,500 for charity.

With 84 days to tackle the 22-mile distance, the equivalent to crossing the Channel , Max completed the venture in just 25 days with after-school and weekend swimming sessions at the Fleming Park Leisure Centre in Eastleigh.

Max, who goes to the Wyvern Technology College in Fair Oak said: "I did find it tough at times but I just thought of all the people with back problems, and it encouraged me."

The money has been raised for Aspire, the national spinal chord charity. For more information, visit www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk.