Forty Sittingbourne youngsters completed a challenge of Olympian proportions when they swam the equivalent of crossing the English Channel and back.

The sixth-formers, from Meadowfield School in Sittingbourne, which caters for those with severe and profound learning difficulties, completed the gruelling 40 miles over four days at the Sheppey Leisure Complex.

Some of the teenagers taking part were not strong swimmers so did their lengths in a smaller pool.

Their Channel Challenge follows on a similar sponsored group exercise last year that involved pupils walking 100 miles to raise cash for their common room to be refurbished.

This year, all money collected is going towards the sixth-form kitchen being renovated in the style of an American diner. Teaching assistant Heidi Martin-Barshell, who also took part in the swim, said: “My sides are aching somewhat from the breaststroke and front crawl.

“One of our students, Thomas Fantetti, swam over 425 lengths on his own – that equates to about four miles.”

So far, the pupils have collected £800 to go towards their £5,000 target.