BRAVEHEART Angela Baker was delighted to smash her fundraising target for her daring swimming challenge.

As the Star had 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 raise £500.

Setting out to achieve the distance by May, grandmother Angela completed the challenge well within her original 17-week goal after swimming her last length on April 13 - after only 10 weeks.

In total she has raised just more than £3,000 for the Burney Breast Cancer Unit at St Helens Hospital.

Angela began swimming following her diagnosis in 2004 and says that it made such a big difference to her life during her five-year battle with the illness.

Mayor and mayoress Cllrs Dave and Jeanette Banks were at the leisure centre for the handover along with Saints youngster Jake Spedding.

A bag pack at Tesco Prescot had also helped Angela, 67, to reaching the impressive total.

"It was absolutely fantastic and it was great Jake Spedding was there too," said Angela, 67.

"I would like to thank everyone for their help and support and overwhelming generosity. And Jake even pulled my grandson's ticket our for the raffle too.

"I have smashed my target and my record and I'm absolutely delighted. This is all helping other people, that is what it's all about. It has been marvellous."