A 66-year-old said she was "chuffed" after swimming the equivalent of the English Channel close to five times.

Ruth Leedham, from Fakenham, swam 101 miles over 12 weeks between April and June this year to raise money for Diabetes UK after her boss was diagnosed with the disease.

The challenge advertised by the charity encourages people to swim either 22 miles - the length of the Channel - or to do a return journey.

But this target was blown out of the water by Miss Leedham, who swam competitively while she was a child and teenager.

“A few weeks after my boss was diagnosis, this appeared on Facebook and I felt it was a sign,” she said.

READ MORE - Fakenham's Aldi store will close for a week for makeover

Fakenham & Wells Times: Ruth Leedham from Fakenham with her medal from Diabetes UK after raising £1,535Ruth Leedham from Fakenham with her medal from Diabetes UK after raising £1,535 (Image: Ruth Leedham)

“When I completed that final length I was chuffed with myself and everyone was so pleased.”

Miss Leedham, who works as a customer assistant at Morrisons, completed most of the challenge in a friend’s private pool - setting small targets to help her reach the century.

She has raised £1,535 and counting, both online and via collection buckets at the shop on the Clipbush Bussines Park.

READ MORE - ABS Gym opens up in Fakenham following expansion of business

Donations can be made online at swim22.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/ruth3117.