WHETHER it was butterfly, backstroke or the full-on front crawl, Wintonians did it all to raise cash for local causes.

Now in its 10th year, the annual Winchester Rotary Swimathon proved as successful as ever as over 120 people took to the water at Winchester College’s pool.

Some 20 teams of six tagged in and out over seven gruelling hours to raise much-needed funds for Hampshire charities.

Over £6,000 was raised for the Rotary alone last year, despite the event’s delay due to the severe weather conditions which flooded the pool.

But this year couldn’t have gone more smoothly which organiser, Mike Slinn, said was largely due to some the Rotary’s committed members.

“People are always looking for ways to collect money and this is an attractive way to do it,” he said.

“It just attracts people’s attention. It’s a nice setting, very much a team-event, and that’s why people come here.

“People want to become part of it and they feel good as they’re collecting money for their favourite charities as well as helping the Rotary.

“We’re grateful to Winchester College for hosting this. It’s so fantastic that it’s in the city centre, because everyone knows where it is and we’d also like to thank the Mayor for supporting us.

“We want everyone to come and join us next year.”

Rotary president Gill Russell added: “People are raising money and they’re having fun doing it.”

For the first time the group has used Facebook to promote the event.

The group that swum the most lengths was the King Penguins Team, from the Penguins Swimming Club with a huge 229 lengths in 55 minutes.

Blake Morgan came in second with 168 lengths.