FIVE years ago this week a team of a dozen Taunton 12-year-olds conquered an epic overnight swim across the English Channel, finishing as the sun rose on the beaches of France.

The Taunton School pupils swam in groups of six and set off with a celebrity team from Channel 4’s Sink or Swim.

To qualify, the children had to swim for two hours in sea temperatures of 16C and pass a stringent medical examination. Cara Cunningham was the youngest at just 12 years and eight days old.

The students completed the 21-mile, six-person relay on crossing largely during the night through the choppy waters of the Channel, arriving in France at sunrise.

The swimmers raised almost £5,000 for The Neonatal Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital.

Swimmer Isabel said at the time: “It was very dark and difficult at times but the water was warmer than what we’ve been training in so wasn’t too bad.

“It was good to know that I was safe. Mr McCarthy wouldn’t let anything happen to us and the boats are with you the whole time."

Hamish McCarthy, the school’s long-distance swim coach, said in September 2019: "I believe our students are one of the youngest teams to have undertaken a channel relay swim since the rules changed some 30 years ago."

The feat has now been completed by over 60 of Taunton School's students, with a challenge completed by a group of 13 pupils this August.