BRAVEHEART Angela Baker has shown her fighting spirit once again as she smashed her target finishing time for her daring swimming challenge.

As the Star previously reported breast cancer survivor Angela began her feat of a 50-mile swim in lengths at Queens Park Leisure Centre in February in aid of the unit which cared for her.

Aiming to achieve the distance by May, Angela has smashed her original 17-week goal after finishing her last length on April 13 - after only 10.

Angela, from Rainhill, was struck with the illness in 2004 and endured a five-year battle with the disease before she received the all-clear. She is raising the money for the Burney Breast Cancer Unit at St Helens Hospital where she was treated.

On Wednesday, June 15 the Boundary Road venue will host a presentation where the raised money will be handed over with Saints youngster Jake Spedding expected to be in attendance at the event. And people can already buy raffle tickets at £1 per strip from Queens Park to help with the fundraising.

"It felt fantastic to finish and it was an achievement," said Angela, 67.

"To help others, that was my goal. I'm going on holiday to Tenerife for a nice deserved rest but I'll still be swimming there. I would have still continued to do it and wanted to make sure I fitted it all in.

"The nurse who looked after me will be coming on June 15 along with my husband, family and friends."

Angela began swimming following her diagnosis and says it made such a big difference to her life.

"It started when a lifeguard asked did I swim down the deep end. The reply was no so he took me following week and stayed with me for months," added grandmother Angela.

"I asked why was he staying and he said he could see a natural ability in me to swim.

"He died not long after so he left me with this gift. I hope l have used it to help others. I have been blessed with health and strength to finish my swim. That is my goal."

Angela has also received sponsorship by Tesco on Cables Retail park, Prescot who are holding a bag pack on May 27 in aid of the cause.

People can donate to Angela's efforts by visiting www.justgiving.com/ANGELABAKER8 or alternatively text ODDI50 followed by the amount to 70070.