PREDATORS from the deep have helped to boost funds for the Dartmouth indoor swimming pol.

A talk by marine biologist Monty Halls raised more than £700 towards the project.

Monty entertained his audience with an account of the sardine run along the coast of Africa which a year ago he had been asked to film and produce for a documentary programme.

This environmental phenomenon happens every year and is an amazing spectacle as the sardines are closely followed by all their natural predators including dolphins and sharks.

The crew went to remote beaches, launched their dinghies through huge breaking rollers, enticed the sharks in with bait and dived and swam with the huge fish.

Along the route they donated money raised by the sponsors Land Rover to various projects, including a children’s fund run by Nelson Mandela’s widow.

It was an amazing undertaking and his stories and pictures had the audience on the edge of their seats.

Monty was filming for the Discovery Channel and the programme is due to be screened in the autumn.

Swimming pool trustee and organiser Yvonne Cottam said: ‘Everyone has been extremely generous. The Flavel Church lent its premises for free, Sandra and Carl did a great job as hosts, and Monty has helped the trust raise another £721 towards the new pool.

‘It was great to hear that Monty will be taking his children to the pool as soon as it opens.’

The trust’s next fund raiser is a quiz on Thursday, April 28, at the town’s yacht club.