WYRE Forest Swiming Club have been handed a cash boost for coaching as a lasting legacy of member Claire Cashmore's Paralympics success.

The club received a cheque for £500 from the Lady Taverners in recognition of Cashmore's great achievement in winning two bronze medals at last year's Games.

It has been earmarked to provide training for new coaches to continue the good work of the present staff and to cover the cost of new starting blocks.

The blocks were used for the first time at the club championships on Sunday, when Lady Taverners president and former England cricketer Rachel Heyhoe-Flint MBE was guest of honour.

The cheque was gratefully received by club captains Richard Carter, who went on to record a championship best time for the 400 metres individual medley, and Amy Smith, who had just returned from representing the county in a gala.

Vice captains Hannah Smith and Nick Carmichael also represented the swimmers and swam well in their events, Smith creating a new championship best time in the 200 metres breaststroke event.

Wyre Forest Swimming Club was founded in March 1998 following the amalgamation of the Kidderminster and Stourport Swimming Clubs.

Kidderminster SC had been in existence in various forms from the early 1900s while Stourport was formed in the 1960s.

The club currently has over 170 swimmers from the ages of eight to18 drawn from across the Wyre Forest area and provides 24 hours of pool training each week, including learn to swim classes on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The club swims competitively in the Speedo, Nuneaton and Ross leagues and welcomes new members of all ages.

If you are interested in joining the club call Carole Walters on 01299 825769.