CHARITY fund-raisers are hoping to have their sponsored marathon event officially recognised as one of the fastest ever.

A six-strong team rowed a staggering 100,000 metres in just over six and a half hours on Saturday.

The super six achieved their feat on a rowing machine at Alsager Leisure Centre cheered on by family and friends.

They expect to have raised more than £2,000 for this summer's holiday planned by the local branch of a national charity.

The Alsager, Crewe and Haslington arm of the Chernobyl Children's Project UK hopes to bring five children and mums from Belarus to the area for a break.

The rowers included Highfields Primary School head John Girbow, and aimed to complete their challenge in under seven hours.

They started at 10.30am, and finished at 5pm, and their time could be the sixth fastest on record if it wins official recognition.

"We each rowed for 1,000 metres and then 500 later in the afternoon," said Mr Girbow.

"We didn't set off too fast, and everyone did their 1,000 metres in less than four minutes throughout the day. It was really draining, but everyone got through it."

Branch fund-raiser Jackie Howell said there was a "fantastic" atmosphere at the charity challenge, and the rowers were "elated" to beat their time target.

She thanked everyone for their generous support, including Alsager Lions, Rotary Club and British Legion, and workers from AWS Electronics and Christian Salveson.

Branch members Ben Barratt and Carl Wooliscroft and others helped with the rowing.

John Girbow starts the rowing challenge, watched by team-mates Tim Fraser, Paul Downing, Mark Lewis, Dave White and Sean Thomson. Photo by Nina Preece.