THE parish priest of St Peter's Church in Oughtrington plans to swim with the sharks at the Blue Planet Aquarium to help raise funds for the Mothers Union.

The Rev Michael Burgess, who not only preaches at Oughtrington and Warburton, but is also a governor at Lymm High School, a chairman at Dunham Hall and a chaplain at Chester University Padgate campus, frequently helps out with local fairs, fundraising and other community projects, and has offered to dive into the £100 000 tank to help raise the profile of the Mothers Union.

The tank, which is eight inches thick to control the four million litres of Caribbean Sea water, is made of acrylic so that viewers are able to catch a clear view of whoever swims inside it among the many species of sharks, stingrays, and fish.

"I'm not scared or concerned at the moment, but by June, I will probably be at the doctors asking for medication!"

Father Michael Burgess jokes about swimming among the tiger sharks in the tank.

The Mothers Union is a worldwide group of Anglican women which helps to raise funds for families all over the world who have been affected by conflict or natural disasters. Members arrange projects and emergency relief work, and approached the Rev Burgess about him volunteering to take part in the Discover Scuba' dive.

"I think it is quite an unusual thing to sponsor so it will probably be quite a popular event," he added confidently The dive will take place on Monday, June 11. To help sponsor the event, or become involved with the Mothers Union, you can either contact Father Michael directly on 752388, or visit the Mothers Union website.