Medway Sub-Aqua Club helped raise more than £1,500 for MENCAP as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

Members pledged to have two divers inhabiting the back lake at Leybourne Lakes Dive Centre at all times from 11am on Saturday to 11am on Sunday, in return for sponsorship.

The first divers found clear waters but by midnight the silt had been stirred up so badly that not even strong torchlight would penetrate the water.

The early hours turned into a test of endurance as some divers took their third or fourth turn in near blind conditions.

The club was joined by two members of Woodstock Divers for the charity dive.

Club chairman Kevin Tarr said: “Everyone who came made a good effort, pushing on through a lack of sleep and the worst possible visibility underwater.

“I’d like to thank Leybourne Lakes Dive Centre for their support and generosity and the support from Woodstock Divers.”

n THE club is organising an anniversary dinner to take place in October.

Although the club’s database goes back 25 years, tracking down members prior to 1983 is proving challenging.

For further information, past and present members should contact Les Crowder on 01634 370896.