DETERMINATION has paid off for a Devizes athlete who has qualified for the English Summer Nationals in swimming.

Devizes School pupil Alex Sharman trains in the pool seven days a week at the same time as juggling school work, and aged just 15, has already been selected to swim for county three years running.

The swimmer, who specialises in the butterfly stroke, beat off competition in Plymouth during the South West Regional Championships in May and won a gold in the 200m butterfly. He brought home a silver in the 100m and fifth in the 50m butterfly final. His times for the 50m and 100m qualified him for the English Summer Nationals competition.

Alex hopes to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and dreams of representing Great Britain in the Olympics one day.

Ali Beck head of PE said: "Alex is a phenomenal athlete and student. His dedication to his sport of swimming it truly fantastic, and as such he has been rewarded with the honour of swimming at the highest level. His determination and dedication is a real credit to him and his family, who have also made many sacrifices for his success. But what sets Alex apart, is how he balances his swimming with his academic studies.

"Alex is an intelligent, articulate and mature young man who dedicates as much effort into his studies as his swimming, and as such is making excellent progress.

"We are really proud to have supported Alex on his journey here at school and in the pool, and we wish him the very best of luck at the Nationals."