YOUNGSTERS at Gawthorpe High School, Padiham, jumped in at the deep end to raise money to allow "Miss" Gillian Garner go off on a charity bike ride on the Great Wall of China.

Thirty-one pupils of the English teacher took part in a sponsored swim at Gannow pool and hope to have raised between £700 and £800.

The event was organised by Gillian's husband, Alan, manager at the pool.

As well as a teacher at Gawthorpe, Gillian is a volunteer for Brierfield's Gateway Club for youngsters with learning difficulties and is hoping to raise £2,500 for the youth club and the mental health charity Mencap.

She is one of about 100 cyclists taking part in the charity event at the end of May.

She has been helping out at the Gateway Club or about ten years.

To prepare for the six day ride, some of it actually on the Great Wall, Gillian, Of Woodgrove Road, Burnley, started training in January doing 12-mile trips over the weekend.

She as does aerobike and aerobic training and swimming.

She said: "The youngsters were absolutely brilliant and have raised a lot of money. I am now halfway to the target which has broken the back of it."