SPORTS centre staff are going the extra mile for a three-year-old girl suffering from a rare illness - by swimming the distance to France and back.

Workers from Tees Valley Leisure's Eston Sports Academy were so touched by the plight of Hannah Dowson, who has the rare muscle weakness, acute motor axonal neuropathy, that they embarked on a sponsored swim the length of the English Channel and back.

They expect to complete their challenge, which is hoped to generate £1,000, by Saturday.

Hannah's mother Nicola Simmons, 29, of Sandsend Road, Redcar, said: "As far as we know, there isn't another person who has the same problem as Hannah. Twice, the whole of her body has gone into paralysis, and she's been on a life support machine."

Hannah has splints on her legs and a mini walking frame.

Ms Simmons said most of the money raised from the sponsored swim will be used for a physio trike, as recommended by Hannah's physiotherapist.

As a thank you to staff at the James Cook University Hospital, who have cared for Hannah and supported the family, she plans to donate the rest to the paediatric intensive care unit.

She said: "I'm so grateful to the leisure centre staff as they don't even know Hannah. I'm really moved by them."

Lifeguard Chris Jackson said: "Hannah is a lovely little girl and needs help. All the staff are expert swimmers and rushed forward to help."