THINGS went swimmingly when three generations of a family staged a charity relay.

Grandmother Barbara Steele joined a 45-minute sponsored swim with her children and grandchildren to raise money for a diabetes laser machine for Bishop Auckland Hospital.

The eight-strong group raised £620 through their efforts. Mrs Steele said: "We were all right for the first 15 minutes, then we kept looking at the clock. I thought it would be easy, but it was actually very, very hard. Once your children and grandchildren beat you swimming, you know you're old."

The appeal aims to raise a total of £35,000 for the equipment to aid 2,500 diabetics in the region