WATER babies in the borough have splashed their way to raising close to £17,000 for baby charity Tommy’s.

The annual Splashathon events, held at the baby swimming group at Total Fitness, on Winwick Road, saw babies completing special swimming challenges in fun-filled Olympic-style events, raising £16,865 from groups across the region.

Jane Brewin, chief executive of Tommy’s said: “We are so grateful to the Water Babies team and all the little splashers who took part for raising so much money for Tommy’s.”

Tommy’s charity funds medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage.

Organiser Alison Ogden said: “I feel incredibly proud of each and every one of the children and their parents.”