LITTLE swimmers in Hambleton are making a splash for charity this month.

Water babies are being encouraged to take the plunge at one of the district's leisure centres and splash a width of the pool to help raise money for Tommy's charity.

The charity funds vital research into premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage.

Each swimmer will receive a certificate and those who raise more than £35 will win fun inflatables.

Last year more than 3,500 children across the UK raised more than £110,000, £1,300 of which came from district council leisure centres.

"Over recent years, 'splashathon' has proved to be a fantastic initiative to help save tiny lives," said Jane Brewin, chief executive of Tommy's.

"It is great that children of such a young age can be sponsored to fulfil a challenge, and that money raised will go towards finding out why other babies will never get the chance to swim, in fact why they will not live at all."

Events have already taken place at Stokesley Leisure Centre and there will be others at Bedale Leisure Centre and Hambleton Leisure Centre on Tuesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 26, and at Thirsk Swimming Pool throughout the month.

Registration forms are available from the centres.