Borough councillors bent to the oars and put their backs into a fundraising virtual row across the English Channel.

The ten-strong team of councillors and staff from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council took part in the Reigate and Redhill YMCA's annual Channel Challenge at its centre in Redhill recently.

Ten teams took part in the event on rowing machines, which took several hours to complete and saw each side virtually rowing the 21 miles, hooked up to a central board.

The event was eventually won by the team from Reigate Fire Station, who also won it last year.

But although they finished in sixth place over-all, the councillors and staff raised more than £630 for the event's cause, the YMCA's Gold Coin Appeal, which is aiming to breathe new life into the Sovereign Centre in Reigate.

More than £2,000 was raised through the event in sponsorship for the cause which, once completed, will create a purpose-built facility for local children and young people.

The cause is one of Reigate and Banstead mayor David Pay's chosen charities for his year in office.

He has praised and pledged to support the valuable work the YMCA does with young people.

Councillor Mark Brunt said: “The Channel Challenge was a fantastic, energised, fun day with every member of the team pulling together for a charitable cause. “We worked really hard and I am very pleased that we came sixth.”

Joining him in the council's channel team were Councillors Julian Ellacott, Michael Blacker, John Stephenson, Andy Lynch, Imran Khan, and council staff Carly Marshall, Ian Thirlwall, Alan Ward and Andy Denton.