A TEAM of six swimmers calling themselves the Stanhope Park Sharks have raised more than £200 for animals in need.

Veterinary nurse Mark Gent, auxiliary nurse Carole Maxwell and practice receptionist Janet Lear, from the Stanhope Park veterinary surgery in Darlington, competed with fellow team members Pippa Williams, Shauneen Henery and Heather Lear at a swimathon held at Spennymoor Leisure Centre in May.

The event was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Sedgefield, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, in conjunction with the Rotaract Club from Crook and the Lions' Club from Bishop Auckland.

Half of the money raised by the team has been donated to local charities, and the remainder given to the South Durham and North Yorkshire branch of the RSPCA.

This is the second year that the veterinary practice has entered a team in the swimathon.

Vanessa Robinson, from the RSPCA, said: "This money will be very helpful for veterinary care and food for the animals in our care. We would like to thank the team very much for their help. At the moment we have dozens of adult cats which are in desperate need of homes. All of the costs involved - for example micro-chipping, vaccination and neutering -are covered by the RSPCA. All we ask for is a £35 donation."

Anyone wishing to adopt a cat or dog from the RSPCA should telephone (01325) 377878.