This year's event was the club's most ambitious to date. Held at Sleaford Leisure Centre, it attracted 52 teams and a total of 217 swimmers, who completed 13,110 lengths.

The demand was so high that some late entries had to be turned away.

Norry Bell, Swimathon organiser and chairman of the fundraising committee, said: "We won't know exactly how much has been raised for Sleaford GIFTS Hospice until all of the sponsorship money is returned, but we are hoping we will pass last year's total of £9,200.

"Thanks to the generosity of our corporate sponsors, whose contributions covered all of our running expenses, all of the money raised by the teams this year will go to the GIFTS."

Mr Bell thanked leisure centre manager Dulcie Hardwick and her pool staff for making the day such a success.

The Community Lincs 'Ringers' team of four won the team trophy after completing 566 lengths in total at an average of 141 lengths each.

Community Lincs entered three teams who completed more than 1,000 lengths.

Six officer cadets from RAF Cranwell, led by Louise Wilson, swam 591 lengths between them, more than any other individual team

Kesteven and Sleaford High School's team of three girls averaged 130 lengths each, with Sarah King's total of 160 being the best individual performance of the day.

Sleaford St John Ambulance had four teams who swam for 733 lengths, the two Sleaford Swimming Club teams managed 865 lengths and three teams from Pygott and Crone completed 957.

Mayor of Sleaford Coun Jack Collings and Mayoress Lorraine Collings called in at the event.