THE first of six annual Ledbury and District Amateur Swimming Club Championships attracted a record 113 entries and yielded 15 new records as the club looks set for another successful year.

The youngest record-breaker was seven-year-old Alexander Dereham in the 25m backstroke race when he finished just under half a second ahead of runner-up William Park with Tom Pryor finishing strongly to take the bronze medal.

In the girls' race Laura Quigley won the trophy, Penny Green the silver medal and Elizabeth Thomas the bronze.

Moving up an age group, the competition was fierce with only 100th of a second separating the winner, Michael Adair, from the runner-up, Lewys Morgan Smith. Less than a tenth of a second behind, Billy Wilce took the bronze medal.

Gemma Laing did well to concentrate on her swim having the misfortune of her goggles slipping off at the start, finishing a touch ahead of Leah Heath (second) and Sally Fitzpatrick (third).

Stepping up to four lengths for the swimmers aged 11 upwards, there was plenty to celebrate with new records for 11-year- olds Emily Docherty and James Middleton and Hannah Kirby and Thomas Stokes in the 12 year category. Other winners were, Annabelle Wilce and Rhys Davey (13/14) and Sarah Bethell and Hywel Pothecary (15/over).

The 50m breaststroke race proved the most popular event with 97 entrants ranging from the youngest, Sophie Green, aged five, up to the 15/over age group.

The most exciting race came in the older boys' event between Luke Rycroft and Hywel Pothecary. Luke gained a small advantage on the start emerging a fraction ahead after a powerful underwater phase by both swimmers. Despite huge efforts to draw level, that tiniest of lead held good throughout the swim allowing Luke to touch in a personal best of 35.52 and set a new 13/14 record with Hywel not quite up to his best time, but nevertheless setting a new 15/o record of 35.72.

More records to add to their collection for James Middleton (11) and Thomas Stokes (12) and a first record swim for Amelia Butler in the nine years girls. Other winners were: William Brown (9/u), Rose Parsons and David Middleton (10), Josie Rycroft (11/12) Lucy Bennion (13/14) and Rachael Lea (15/o).

There was some fine swimming in the longest race, 200m freestyle, with almost all of the 75 competitors gaining a new personal best time. The younger swimmers showed great maturity in handling their pace throughout the eight lengths resulting in an excellent new record for Caitlin Clark in the 9/u girls, taking some 13 seconds off the existing time.

Hannah Bloxsome swam a very determined race with a superb last 50m to win the 11/12 age group and reduce the record by two seconds. James Middleton and Thomas Stokes demonstrated their versatility of skills in both distance and strokes, securing their third records of the gala with fast swims in this event.

Rachael Lea brought the record tally to five with a consistent performance to win the 15/over title.

Other gold medallists were: Daniel Adair (9/u), George Parsons (10), Lucy Stokes (10), Rhys Davey (13/14), Lucy Bennion (13/14) and Hywel Pothecary (15/o). The trophies for the fastest juniors were presented by Andrew Heath, of Abbey Cottage Dental Practice, to James Middleton and Josie Rycroft and to the senior champions, Hywel Pothecary and Lucy Bennion.

As always, the gala finished with an exciting novice race, one length of freestyle for swimmers aged 12/under who have not yet won a gold medal in a championship event.

Recording a very fast 16.56 seconds ,Christopher Harwood managed to keep ahead of Sam Parsons, and William Brown (third) to win the boys event with Alicia Green battling hard to touch ahead of Emily Morgan Smith and Rosie Docherty (third) in 17.04 seconds.

LADASC wishes to thank the sponsors, Abbey Cottage Dental Practice, and the team of volunteer officials who ensured the smooth running of this championship.