SEVENTY competitors took part in Ledbury Swimming Club's first championships event of the year on Sunday.

Records fell in backstroke events, including William Park winning the 8/u race on his eighth birthday in a new best time.

Other results included: 7/u backstroke: 1 Elizabeth Thomas and Michael Gooch, 2 Sophie Green and Will Butler, 3 Issy Heath and Ed Best; 8/u backstroke: 1 Laura Quigley (new record) and William Park (new record), 2 Penny Green and William Owen, 3 Charlie Docherty; 13/14 backstroke: 1 Rhys Davey, 2 Arron Almond; 11/12 backstroke: 1 Patty Holloway (new record); 9/10 backstroke: 1 Caitlin Clark (new record). Other age group winners were Daniel Adair (new record), edging brother Michael into silver, Richard Jones and Hannah Kirby.

The 50m breaststroke event proved the most popular, attracting 70 entries and producing some exciting races.

James Middleton and George Bennion contested the 11/12 age group, James winning in a new record time for the 12 year group and George setting a new best in the 11 year group.

Rose Parsons set a new record (11yrs), as did Sally Fitzpatrick in the 9/u category. Other winners were: Fred van Vuren, Amelia Butler, Daniel Adair, Emma Fitzpatrick, Arron Almond, Katie Batley and Luke Rycroft.

The longest event was over eight lengths with 64 swimmers taking part, the younger ones finding planning a pace particularly tricky.

Worthy of praise for their efforts were: William Surridge, Angus Walker, James Scull, Daniel Clark, Emily Earp, Daniel Clark, Peter Crocombe, Tim Tedds, Sophie Green, Charlie Docherty.

New best times were set by Caitlin Clark, Eloise van Vuren and Alice Parsons, taking the tally of new club records to 11.

Junior trophies went to David Middleton and Caitlin Clark and senior ones to Rhys Davey and Eloise van Vuren. Age group winners: Hannah Blox-some, Thomas James, James Middleton, Daniel Adair, Michael Adair, Leah Heath.

In the 25m novice race, Katherine Berry, Billy Wilce and Laura Quigley all recorded 18.19 seconds.

Finishing judges awarded the gold to Katherine and Billy, silver to Laura and Fred van Vuren and bronze to Rosie Owen and William Owen.

Trophies for improvement and commitment to training over the past few months were given to Lizzie Millington and William Corscadden-Hayward.