Staff from the Horse and Jockey pub in Binegar and the Barber Company in Midsomer Norton have raised more than £1,200 for a new swimming pool at the Mendip School, near Shepton Mallet, by undertaking a 26.2-mile walking challenge.

With almost a year of closure and missed fundraising opportunities, the walkers were supporting the appeal to raise £1.1 million for the new swimming pool at the special school at the Bath and West Showground in Prestleigh.

On Sunday, the team completed the Marathon Walk in aid of the new pool, where they walked 26.2 miles along the cycle path from Oldland Common to Bath to Frome.

They gave themselves a £500 target to raise and already they are just over £1,200, and there is more to be donated.

When the school was built in 2015 there was no funding in place to include a pool.

The school has now been running for six years and would like to increase the facilities available to students and the community. Plans are in place and the appeal is over half way towards its total.

Students currently are able to swim for one term a year if they can cope with the hour-long round trip to another pool.

The Mendip School are keen to increase access to swimming for all students, just like their mainstream peers.

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The pool will provide a much-needed community resource for other local schools, groups and swimming lessons, making it more possible to walk or have a short drive to local facilities.

Natalie Hannah, head teacher at the Mendip School, said: "We are so grateful for the support from the Horse and Jockey and Barber Company.

"We hope to start building in the autumn so every bit of support helps. The school are excited about the opportunity to offer the community a pool for lessons, health, fitness and private hire.

"This will create another community hub and much needed recreational opportunity for all local residents as well as all our students."

If you are able to help in anyway you can make a donation HERE or email Lucy Beattie for more detail about sponsorship, donations or supporting the appeal in any way at [email protected].