LEDBURY and District swimmers enjoyed some exciting races during their second club championship resulting in 11 new records and an amazing 195 personal best times.

The youngest swimmers started the gala with the one length butterfly event for aged 8 and under. For some it was their first attempt at racing this difficult stroke and all 18 competitors received great encouragement.

Every swimmer recorded either a new time or a new best time. The winners of the 7/u trophies were Laura Quigley and William Park, with Penny Green and Daniel Clark receiving the silver medals and Issy Heath and Alex Middleton the bronze.

The 8/u trophies were won by Gemma Laing and Michael Adair, runners-up were, Leah Heath and Billy Wilce. In third place were Sally Fitzpatrick and William Corscadden Hayward. The medals and trophies were presented by Stuart Houghton representing the gala sponsor, Sidetracked.

The butterfly races for older swimmers covered four lengths of the pool and there were some very determined efforts. Hywel Pothecary emerged the fastest winning the 15/o boys' event in 1.07.88. Luke Rycroft was the 13/14 winner and Thomas Stokes swam to a new record time and personal best to win the 11/12 age group. George Bennion had an outstanding swim and reduced his time by some five seconds to set a new record. Amy Tyler won the girls' 15/o age group, Hannah Bloxsome was the 13/14 winner and Katie Batley won the trophy for the 11/12 age group. There were no disqualifications and 21 of the 27 swimmers recorded new best times.

The longest race was eight lengths of backstroke, attracting an entry of 61. The final heat of the event with the top five boys, Rhys Davey, Luke Rycroft, Thomas James, Thomas Stokes and Hywel Pothecary was the most keenly fought race of the afternoon. Stokes got away to a fast start but all swimmers kicked in halfway down length seven and the final turn was crucial, with Davey, Rycroft and James battling to keep in touch with the leaders Pothercary and Stokes. Both swimmers finished recording an identical time but the finish judges were united in rewarding the touch to Stokes in a new record time. Hywel Pothercary won the trophy for the 15/o, Rhys Davey was the 13/14 winner, George Parsons won the 10 yrs and Daniel Adair won the 9/u category. Silver medals went to Thomas James, Luke Rycroft, George Bennion, Christopher Leitch and William Brown with Arron Almond, Oliver Davey, David Middleton and William Wilce receiving the bronze medals.

The girls also provided plenty of entertainment with some tough races resulting in three new club records from, Annabelle Wilce (13/14), Patty Holloway (10) and Caitlin Clark (9/u). Emily Docherty was the winner of the 11/12 age group.

Susan Pudge (13/14), Josie Rycroft (11/12) Lucy Stokes (10) and Amelia Butler (9/u) were the runners-up. The bronze medals went to Charlotte Scott-Wilson, Jenna Clark, Alice Parsons and Leah Heath.

More records tumbled in the following event, the 50m freestyle, following some fine sprinting with 71 of the 78 swimmers recording faster best times.

Caitlin Clark (9/u), David Middleton (10), George Bennion (11), Luke Rycroft (13/14) and Lucy Bennion (15/0) were the record breakers and along with William Brown (9/u), Patty Holloway (10), Thomas Stokes (12), Emily Docherty (12), Susan Pudge (13/14) and Hywel Pothercary (15/o) won the gold medals for their age groups.

The novice races for swimmers aged 11/u who had not already won a gold medal, were won by Kate Docherty and Christopher Tedds.

Trophies for general improvement and effort were awarded to Katherine Berry and Freddie Van Vuren.

Stuart Houghton said: "It is a pleasure for me to be involved with LADASC and to present the trophies and medals.

"The standard of the club keeps on rising and reflects the dedication of the coaching staff, the committee, parents and swimmers."