YOUNG Lauren Smith is preparing to swim to France and back!

Keen swimmer Lauren, seven, is taking part in the Sharon Davies Challenge where fundraisers swim to raise cash for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign.

In the same event last year Lauren completed 22 miles to raise £176. Now the Garrett Hall Primary School pupil is planning to swim 44 miles - the equivalent of cross-Channel swim and back. Lauren will log her distances each time she goes swimming and hopes to complete the 44 miles well inside the target time of December 31.