More than 350 swimmers took the plunge for charity at this year's Purley Swimathon.

Forty-two teams swam more than 4,5000 lengths of Purley pool on Thursday last week and the previous Saturday in the popular fundraising event's 27th year. 

The swimathon, organised by Purley Rotary Club, has raised about £465,000 for good causes since it began. 

Club chair Tony Farrell said: "Within the next two years we hope to have hit the £500,000 mark - a significant and worthy achievement should we do so."

He added this year's event was on course to raise more than £23,000.

Three selected charities - South East Cancer Help Centre, the Purley and Coulsdon Club for the Elderly (PACE) and the Purley Food Hub - will get a share of the money raised this year, with the rest going to causes chosen by teams.

Among those taking part were the Early Birds, a team of pensioners who swim at Purley pool each morning, as well as the Purley Youth Project and staff from Croydon University Hospital's physiotherapy department.

The chairman of Reedham Children's Trust, a charity for disadvantaged children, also made a splash along with nine members of his family spanning three generations.

Before the swimathon, Mr Farrell presented a certificate of thanks to staff at Purley pool, which has hosted the event since its first year.

The provisional dates for next year's swimathon are February 27 and March 3. Mr Farrell is hopeful it will be held again at Purley Leisure Centre, although he could be forced to look elsewhere if the council follows through on plans to shut the pool. 

Anyone interested in taking part can email purleyswimathon@gmail.com. 

Donations can still be made to this year's nominated charities at the swimathon's fundraising page.