VETERAN swimmer Richard Slater rolled back the years to land a hat-trick of national titles.

Richard struck triple gold at the Welsh National Masters swimming championships held at the Wales National Pool in Swansea.

A member of the Masters Squad at Pioneer 79 swimming club, he returned to the pool a year ago having last competed in his late teens.

Richard won the 50m and 100m breaststroke titles, and the 200m freestyle as well as a bronze in the 50m butterfly. He is now working towards the Scottish and GB Nationals later in the year.

He credits much of his success to a combination of excellent coaching and the encouragement of other Masters swimmers.

"The quality of coaching is superb," he said. "My technique has been re-built and the work we do is challenging."

Head coach Lee Stringfellow said: "The success of our Masters swimmers demonstrates the depth we have at the club. From the youngest to the oldest members we are achieving significant results at a regional and national level."