KEEN swimmer Joseph Selman is preparing to go the distance for charity.

Joseph, 12, of Malmesbury Road, Kington Langley, who is a pupil at St Gregory's Roman Catholic School in Bath, is in training for the Sharron Davies Mile Swim Challenge in aid of ChildLine.

He hopes to complete his mile challenge in two stages at the Springfield Leisure Centre in Corsham.

His mum Ros said: "He is quite a strong swimmer and has been swimming since he was very young.

"We go swimming twice a week and Joseph thought it would be good to take on this challenge."

Joseph must swim his mile between May 12 and 26. He is currently building up to the challenge and intends to complete the mile in two stages.

Mrs Selman said: "He has done half of what he has got to do and is still practising hard.

"He has to swim at least 65 lengths of the pool in Corsham and we are confident he will do it.

"He has never swum a mile before but I know he can do it."

Joseph fits in swimming around his other hobbies, which include off road motorbikes. He is a regular at Kington Langley Youth Club.

He will be making sure his family and friends dig deep into their pockets for sponsorship money.

ChildLine is the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in trouble or in danger.