TWELVE-year-old Stephen Tattersall really splashed out when he decided to raise money for Pendleside Hospice, Reedley, in memory of his granddad.

Stephen, then 11, decided on his own sponsored swim at the Thompson Centre, Burnley.

His mum, Alex, knew nothing about it until he had completed 48 lengths of the pool at one go and taken his own sponsor form around local shops in the Harle Syke area of Burnley.

He will hand over the money to Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle at the hospice on Wednesday.

A keen swimmer, Stephen, who attends Gawthorpe High School, Padiham, recently joined Burnley Swimming Club. His mum said: "One morning he got up and said he wanted to raise money for the hospice in memory of his grandad, Harold Houldsworth who died from lung cancer aged 76.

"He received wonderful care at the hospice."

She added: "I feel quite guilty now because I told him he couldn't do it without property supervision.

"He went swimming and did 48 lengths with his own paperwork signed by the staff at the Thompson Centre. He drew up his own sponsorship form and went round local shops." Alex then got official forms from the hospice.

She received support from her works colleagues at Scott Dawson Advertising, Burnley, and Stephen from his teachers.

Alex added: "So far he has raised £130 with more to come. I am very proud of what he has done."

Kaye Bartle, fund-raising manager at the hospice, commented: "I am absolutely delighted that Stephen decided on his own to raise money for the hospice.

"Its really refreshing to hear stories of young people supporting the work that we do."

Stephen's other sports are badminton and mountain biking and he is now also planning to give trampolining a try.