AN AVID swimmer was given a surprise party by the staff at the Activity Zone in Malmesbury after he finished swimming 1,000 miles, the equivalent of 64,000 lengths.

Roger Vincent-Silk arrived on Monday morning for what he thought would be a normal swim at the Leisure Centre.

Unbeknownst to him, swimming co-ordinator Krista Davies had planned a party where he was surprised by pool staff and friends to celebrate the 77-year-old’s remarkable achievement, there was even a personalised t-shirt and cake.

Krista said: “It was really good, Roger had no idea it was going to happen.

"I just invited him to be here yesterday and when he walked in everyone popped their party poppers.

“Then he picked me up and swung me around and we gave him a congratulatory cheer. He said he hoped he could be an inspiration and that if he can do it at 77 and working full time then everyone else can too.”

Roger, who lives in Corston, runs Compendia Ltd, a company that develops home owner and tenant manuals.

His work includes the handover of the Olympic village in London to residents who moved into the former athletes’ homes.

He has been swimming at the Activity Zone for about five years and tries to go at least three to four times a week.

He said: “It was a very nice surprise. They pulled out all the stops for me and I hope it encourages other people to do such mad things.

“I do it because I need to, otherwise it would be down to WD40, when you get to my age you need to keep going physically and mentally.

“It was a lovely day and a lovely surprise, I was quite touched by the gesture.

"The leisure centre management and staff do a great job and I would like to thank them for all their encouragement.

“They make you feel very welcome and this accolade is for them.”