BABIES and parents across Sussex took part in a swashbuckling charity swim to help combat infant mortality.

Water Babies classes all over the county joined in the fun, dressing up as pirates and princesses for the occasion.

Among those taking part on Tuesday were families at a Water Babies class held in Dyke Road, Brighton

They swam a width in aid of the charity Tommy’s, which funds research to prevent miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature births.

The “Splashathon” saw mothers, fathers and little ones in pools across the country wear pirate hats, tutus, and eye patches as they worked towards the charity’s £1 million target.

Nationwide, one in four parents loses a baby during pregnancy or birth.

Since baby swimming class company Water Babies partnered with Tommy’s in 2006, the swim has raised £3.2 million for the charity.

The money will be used to support four research centres across the UK, where Tommy’s trials new treatments and works to provide specialised antenatal care to save babies’ lives.