SWIMMERS plunged into Oxford’s open air pool to help provide clean drinking water for the city’s twin town in Central America.

More than 30 swimmers, aged eight to 84, swam as many lengths as they could on one of the hottest days of the year so far.

The Oxford-Leon sponsored swim, at Hinksey outdoor pool, South Oxford, was first staged more than a decade ago. This year organisers hope to raise more than £2,000 for water projects in the Nicaraguan town.

The twinning of the two places celebrated its 25th anniversary this spring and one of the swim organisers Jan Marshall said the annual dip, held on Monday, was now a regular fixture in the calendar.

“We had 32 swimmers – that was wonderful. The fact it was so hot helped,” she said. Some did six lengths and the most was 90, although one of our helpers swam 100 the day before.”

She added: “This is a big community event and we have lots of people helping out.”

The cash will be used to provide a water filtration system for villages in the Leon area that suffer from contaminated drinking supplies.

It will also part fund a social worker to help villagers understand the dangers.

Mrs Marshall said: “Villages near Leon are on the slopes of a volcano and the drinking water is contaminated with arsenic.

“It has a dreadful effect on long term health.”

“The project is very much in conjunction with local people.”

Cash raised by the Oxford-Leon swim is always used to fund water projects in the Nicaraguan town and last year’s efforts paid for new wells to be dug.

Mrs Marshall said the fundraising was vital.

“We take water for granted and even have swimming pools. Over in Nicaragua they are struggling to get clean water to drink,” she added.

The group are planning a social and information evening on Wednesday, August 31, where the engineer who is working on the water project will be giving a talk.

The venue is yet to be confirmed, but for information email oxfordleonswim@gmail.com