The charity, which has a branch in Honiton, held a Splashathon, which saw hundreds of local babies aged 12 weeks to 4 years saving other babies’ lives by swimming a width in fancy dress.

Dozens of Water Babies classes held across the summer have raised £38,473.43 for baby charity Tommy’s.

Water Babies, which has a branch in Honiton, held a Splashathon, which saw hundreds of local babies aged 12 weeks to 4 years saving other babies’ lives by swimming a width in fancy dress.

Money raised for Tommy’s will go towards vital research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, helping up to 60,000 families nationally.

Rowan Bradford, of Water Babies Devon and Somerset, said: “Water Babies has been a proud partner of the Tommy’s Splashathon since 2006 and we are over the moon to have raised so much this year.

“This will go towards our national target of £1 million to help thousands of families.

“The enthusiasm and passion shown by all our little splashers and their families has been overwhelming and we’d like to say a really big thank you to all those who took part and also those who donated.”