THE 11th BT Swimathon -- now Europe's largest annual swimming event -- has just been launched, with Chorley again involved.

BT Swimathon 2001 aims to raise £2 million to help the fight against cancer in the UK.

All Seasons Leisure Centre, Chorley, and Brinscall Swimming Pool, will be two of the splash-for-cash venues nationwide.

This year's main beneficiary is Macmillan Cancer Relief, the UK-wide charity that supports people living with cancer.

Two more cancer charities will also benefit from every penny raised -- the Prostate Cancer Charity and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

BT Swimathon 2001 will take place between March 19-25 next year at more than 500 pools.

More than 40,000 people, aged from 10-80, are expected to participate.

Swimming as individuals, or as part of a relay team of up to five members, entrants can choose to tackle 1,500m, 2,500m, or the ultimate challenge, 5,000m.

The Corporate Challenge gives work colleagues an opportunity to settle their differences in the pool, while Simply Swim is a flexible option for those who want to take part in BT Swimathon 2001 but find that pools or session times available are just not convenient.

Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew MBE, president of BT Swimathon, who joined the Big Breakfast's Lisa Rogers for the launch, said: "It seems that everyone has been personally affected by cancer in some way or other and four out of every ten of us will get it at some stage in our lives.

"However, all the money raised by swimmers in BT Swimathon will go directly to help three fantastic cancer charities.

"If you've swam in a BT Swimathon before you'll understand the enormous sense of achievement you feel when you step out of the pool -- if you haven't, what are you waiting for?"

Since those first intrepid swimmers tested the water, 372,000 BT Swimathon participants have swum further than 520,000 miles -- the equivalent of front crawling from John O'Groats to Land's End 600 times.

This monumental effort has raised a total of £15 million for 29 different national charities.

BT's community operations manager, Peter Thompson, said: "We are delighted that the BT Swimathon continues to go from strength to strength as it enters its second decade."

Diving into BT Swimathon 2001 couldn't be easier. Call Freefone 0800 731 7316, check out www.btswimathon.com or pick up an entry form at participating pools.