COUNTY rowers claimed a whole host of medals at the British Indoor Rowing Championships.

Seven gold, three silver and five bronze medals were won by competitors from Old Wrecks Indoor Rowing Club, leaving Evesham-based coach Eddie Fletcher with his best total yet.

Star of the championships, held at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena, was Graham Benton who won the Men's Open heavyweight class against the cream of the water rowing world.

After a closely fought first- half, Benton, who has been in the sport for just two years, steamed ahead in the second-half of the race to win convincingly in five minutes 53.5 seconds, becoming the first ever "dry" rower to win the class.

In addition, he carried off the trophy for the fastest men's time of the day.

There were also gold medals for Megan Brown in the Women's 35-39 class (7:18.0), Anne Yates (45-49, 8:02.3), Anna Bailey (50-54, 7:21.7) and Sue Little (50-54 lightweight, 7:49.0).

For the men, Mike Alexander won the 60-64 lightweight race in 7:05.5, and Roger Prowse took gold in the 55-59 lightweight race in 6:53.8.

All of the gold winners will be representing the UK at the European Championships next month.

Silver medals were won by Cathy Rogers (40-44 lightweight, 7:35.2), Martyn Low (50-54, 6:30.2) and, in his last race in the sport, Malcolm Fawcett (60-64 lightweight, 7:08.4).

Worcester Triathlon Club member Gail Flanaghan, making her first appearance in an indoor event, won a bronze medal in the 50-54 lightweight category.

Bronze medals were secured by Old Wrecks athletes Nicola Morris (35-39 lightweight, 7:51.2), Mark Mitchell (30-34 lightweight, 6:25.2), John Brooks (40-44 lightweight, 6:43.8), Alex Brown (50-54, 6:35.2) and Steve Green (50-54 lightweight, 7:04.3).

Personal best times were recorded by Rogers, Henry Cawdron and Richard Hardie.

Neil Little and John Ferdinando just missed out on medals, coming fourth in the 50-54 and 55-59 lightweight races respectively.