NINE swimmers from Melksham Swordfish competed at the Wiltshire County Swimming Championships, which takes place over four weekends in January and February.

The swimmers had previously competed in competitions throughout 2019 to achieve the tough qualification times needed to enter the championships.

Molly Watts, Lucy Matthews and Sadie Balnave competed in the age group for 13 year old’s and under in January.

Later in the month Elliot Wood, Margot Lewey-Pierre, Tilly Birkett, Alex Matthews, Ellis Viveash and Brendan Clayton competed in the Wilts Championship for 14 year old’s and over.

Watts and Matthews joined them as their fast times in the U13s ensured they would be able to compete with older competitors.

In total, the swimmers competed in 82 races and brought home nine gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals for their age group races.

In addition to this impressive medal haul Lewey-Pierre, Wood, Alex Matthews and Watts also won trophies in the junior championship for being one of the top six fastest swimmers age 15 and under.

Lewey-Pierre, Wood and Watts also won awards for being in the top six fastest swimmers for the open age group.

Many of these swimmers are now going on to compete at the South West regional swimming competition being held in April.

Kerry Haines, team manager, said: “There was a great atmosphere throughout the Competition and all of the swimmers can feel very proud of how they represented themselves.”