A fundraising campaign by a weekly newspaper will allow two disabled boys to swim at their local pool.

The Midweek Herald launched a campaign eight months ago to raise funds to buy a special hoist and changing bench for Honiton’s council-owned swimming baths.

The Archant title raised £2,000 with the appeal, which was match-funded by the district council so the equipment could be bought.

It has now been unveiled by the two boys at a ceremony, pictured below, allowing them to now enjoy a swim at the pool.

There have also been further campaign successes across sister titles in Archant South West.

The Sidmouth Herald reached its first milestone in an appeal to help raise £220,000 to enable a local scout group to build a new headquarters.

Just six weeks after launching, £20,000 has been raised so the first phase of the project can go ahead – the installation of electricity and associated works to the field planned for the new building.

The Exmouth Journal has also seen success after helping to save the town’s Lions Club from closure, following an appeal for new members in the paper.

It has now launched a further appeal to help save the Budleigh Salterton branch of Age Concern, which is running out of cash and could fold unless more funding is found.