THE cream of British indoor rowing descended on Evesham last weekend for the annual Golden Mile.

Seven British records were smashed at the Rowing Club at an event that attracted more than 200 competitors from all over the country.

Six records were broken by women and one of the most exciting efforts came from Joanne Lyons in the open category.

The 23-year-old former champion swimmer, who now rows at Worcester Boat Club, rowed the mile (1,609 metres) in five minutes 31.8 seconds, shaving a massive 11 seconds off the previous record.

There were record-breaking sub-six minute rows for the older women too. In the 30-39 category, lightweight Christina Lee clocked 5.57.3, while 40-49 heavyweight Sue Palmer bettered that with 5.55.6.

In the 40-49 lightweight women's event Carol Dunbar rowed 5.57.1 and there was a record too for Georgina Hamilton who clocked 6.51.3 in the 60-69 age group.

The amazing Mavis Surridge, rowing in the 70-79 age group, completed the distance in 7.21.1.

Only one men's record was broken on Saturday when John O'Grady, in the 40-49 age group, clocked 4.55.5 - one of seven sub-five minute rows.

The fastest man on the day was Simon Handley, who is trained by Evesham sports scientist Eddie Fletcher. Hand clocked 4.49.4 in the men's 30-39 event.

Evesham's junior rowers picked up several medals. Tom Walker, rowing at J18, rowed 5.08.9, a time that gave him gold and wouldn't have looked out of place on the men's leader board.

Fellow J18, Fred Hardman, rowing lightweight, picked up a bronze with his time of 5.58.5. Will Tew won J16 gold (5.14.4) and there was gold for Ed Surman and silver for 12-year-old Lewis Giles rowing in the J14 category.

Abi Penrose won gold in the women's J16 (6.26.8) while sister Colleen had to be content with a bronze in the J15 age group (6.26.9).

Ruth Whyman (J14) picked up silver with a row of 6.13.6 and, in the same age group, Aimee Rutherford claimed gold in 5.56.7 with crewmates Dani Symonds and Jorden Parsons claiming silver and gold respectively.