IN the first two stages of the Worcestershire Championships, Worcester Swimming Club collected a haul of medals.

At the long distance events Richard Istead got bronze medals in the 13yr 1500m and 800m freestyle events.

Adam Wills won gold in the 12yr 800m. In the same event Andrew Bourne and Matthew Whittaker took silver and bronze respectively in the 15yr age group.

In the girls events Gemma Ramsden got silver in the 14yr 800m event and Elinor Martin won gold and Rachel Stoddart silver in the 19/24yr age group.

In the first stage of the championship and age group competitions, Ewan Martin won six golds in the 17/18yr group and had five championship best times. Oliver Leaper won gold and two silvers in the same age group.

Katie Peachey won two golds and two silvers in the 19/24yr age group while Elinor Martin picked up two golds and three silvers.

Alison Etheridge won bronze in the 15yr age group while 14-year-old Matthew Whittaker got silver and Matthew Wells a bronze and a sixth place in his events.

Oliver Stoddart, 16, got two bronzes, a fourth and two fifth places in his age group. Gordon Reeves got a gold and a bronze in the 19/24 age group and James Istead, 16, picked up a bronze.

In the girls 14yr age group Gem-ma Hutchings collected silver and a fourth place, and Gemma Rams-den silver, a bronze and a fourth.

In the 13yr age group Gabrielle Allen won a gold and a silver, Richard Istead picked up two bronzes, two fourths, three fifths and a sixth. Chloe Naughton got two silvers, one third and two sixths and Danielle Hunt picked up a bronze and was placed fourth twice and fifth once. Nick Williams, 14, got a bronze, a fourth and a fifth, while Rachel Stoddart won gold in the 19/24s.

In the younger age groups 11-year-old Samantha Payne picked up two silvers and a bronze. In the 10 yr. age group Jack Ellis got a bronze, a fifth and a sixth, Becky Cox a bronze and two sixths, and Lydia Williams a win and two fourths.

The 9yr old swimmers competing at this level for the first time saw Matthew Turner get a silver and a fourth, Rupert Monkhouse a third and Jennifer Rollins a second. There were also placings for Matthew Everest (one third, three sixths), Rudy Hercik (sixths), Andrew Bourne (two fourths, one fifth, Katie Askew (one fourth, two fifths), Haylea Pyle (fourth), Alex Williams (fifth), Ben Jones (fourth), Matthew Watts (two sixths), Grant Hundley (sixth), Laura Maguire (two sixths), Alicia Bayliss (two fifths) and Alexandra Pritchard (sixths).