School pupils in West Lothian taking part in a massive fundraising effort were given a helping hand from an Olympic legend on Thursday.

Duncan Goodhew took to the pool with kids from Kentigerns Academy in Bathgate, ahead of a national Swimathon in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Around 170 young swimmers in the region will take part in the sponsored swim in the region, as well as some of their teachers and parents.

Duncan Goodhew said: "With the obesity problems that we've got, it's really positive to get kids involved at a young age. As well as the secondary school kids here today, we've got two primary schools taking part so that's a real bonus.

"And for us at Swimathon, it's just so great to see children taking part in what is primarily an adult event and raising money for an amazing cause."

Around 20,000 people will take part in simultaneous events at more than 500 UK pools in April. They aim to raise a of £1.5 million, the majority of which will go to Marie Curie, which Mr Goodhew says is a charity very close to his heart.

The gold medalist said: "Cancer touches all of us at some point in our life and I'm no different. My mother and my mother-in-law died of cancer and my mother-in-law died at home.

"She got help from Marie Curie in those final months of her life to make that the best and most dignified experience that could be, not just for her but for the family as well. So I take my hat off to the Marie Curie nurses, they are brilliant."

Marie Curie helps people with terminal cancer, providing specialist nursing care as well as hospice and out patient services.

Laura Dunn from the charity said: "It's very exciting for Marie Curie to see the kids, not only fundraising, but having fun and exercising as well. Research tells us that 75% of people suffering from cancer want to be cared for at home, with their loved ones around them in familiar surroundings. Unfortunately, only 25% of those people achieve that.

"So this is a wonderful fundraising effort which will help with the specialised nursing care we provide for people at home and in our hospices, free of charge."