An UNDERWATER swim wearing scuba gear has raised cash to support rockhopper penguin conservation.

Zac Cuff, nine, who attends Sutton Veny Primary School, undertook the 1 km challenge at Melksham Blue Pool, where he has recently qualified as a PADI master seal scuba diver with local group Divezone.

Zac, who lives with parents Amanda and Jeremy in Bishopstrow Court, Warm-inster, is a wildlife lover and a member of the RSPB’s Wildlife Explorers club.

The organisation has recently launched a campaign to help rockhoppers, which are an endangered species.

He decided to combine his new scuba diving skills with a fundraising effort for the penguins and raised £133 in sponsorship, with the help of Divezone’s Mark Alexander, who provided the equipment.