PLUCKY young swimmer Chanaleigh Hughes battled through to complete 1,352 lengths of Kingsteignton swimming pool.

Her sterling efforts saw her suffer sunburn, the effects of the cold and chest pains as she was determined to finish the course – the equivalent of swimming the English Channel, a total of 21 miles.

Fifteen-year-old Chanaleigh was greeted by cheers and applause from family, friends and supporters, when she finally reached the end of the gruelling challenge, in which she raised more than £2,300 to boost funds to keep the pool open.

She said: 'It was really good but for the last 200 lengths I had pains in my chest which affected my breathing