A YOUNG swimmer has covered the distance of the English channel at his local pool for charity.

Joseph Saunders, of Wellbeck Avenue, Hayes, visited Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday to complete the final leg of an epic 22-mile swim - the equivalent of 1416 lengths.

The 13 year-old started the journey in July, and has clocked up around 40 lengths a week whilst juggling school and homework. The leisure centre, in East Avenue, Hayes, let Joseph use the pool for free during the challenge.

So far, he is more than half way towards his £200 fundraising target.

The effort was part of a channel swim challenge coordinated by charity Aspire, which supports people with spinal cord injuries.

Joseph's mum, Michelle Waters, said: "I am immensely proud of him.

"He enjoys swimming and he's really good at it. He trained really hard in the summer, and has been going every week without fail."

Joseph counts as an inspiration TV funnyman David Walliams, who swam the Channel in 2006 and followed that with a perilous swim along the 144 miles of the River Thames, each time raising over £1m for charity.

If you would like to help Joseph reach his fundraising target, go to www.justgiving.com/josephsaunders.