A YOUNG Hartland woman is taking part in a marathon swim in memory of her two grandfathers.

Lysette Currington, 21, will be swimming 26.2 miles over five days in aid of the Parkinson's Disease Society and Cancer Research.

Lysette lost her grandfather Ron Ward in December 2007 from the effects of Parkinson's and in June 2008 her other granddad Alan Ingram died of prostate cancer and a rare form of leukaemia.

Lysette is doing the swim at a pool in Cardiff in June because it is 50 metres long, but it would equate to 1,677 lengths of Barnstaple's pool at the North Devon Leisure Centre.

She sees the marathon as a way of saying thanks for the support both her grandparents received while being ill.

She said: "I have been training since November, but I've recently had to have correctional surgery on my foot so I'm in plaster. But, as soon as it comes off I'm going straight back in the pool.

"I've set myself the challenge of doing each mile in 30 minutes, which is going to be tough as I have not really been swimming since lessons when I was young until I begun the training."

Lysette is hoping to raise £1,000 for each of the charities.

For more information and to sponsor her contact 01237 441522.

Alternatively visit www.justgiving.com/lysettecurrington for your money to go to Cancer Research and www.justgiving.com/lysettecurrington1 for the Parkinson's Society.