A LUNG cancer charity has launched a swimming incentive backed by a former Olympian.

The badge, which aims to encourage Winchester families to keep their lungs healthy, will see individuals or groups swim a mile over the course of a month.

Once completed participants will receive a badge and certificate in recognition of their hard work.

The challenge has been set up by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and is free.

Money raised will go towards research and support for those living with lung cancer.

Sharron Davies, who won a silver medal in the 400-metre individual medley at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and two gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, is supporting the campaign. She said: "As a swimmer, my lungs are obviously vital to my performance in the pool, which is just one of the reasons why I am supporting this campaign.

"I was shocked to discover that lung cancer kills more women than any other cancer yet, despite this, there is very little research into this dreadful disease. The more people who get swimming, the more money we can raise for more research to find a cure."

To take part go online at roycastle.org/swim.