Ellie Ward was Great Harwood Otter Swimming Club’s top performer at the Lancashire County Championships held over two weekends.

In the first at Liverpool, Otters took a group of their swimmers aged nine upwards where only swimmers who have gained County standard qualifying times in their age groups can enter this event.

Head coach Craig Lord said: "Our swimmers hadbeen given some tips by top breaststroke swimmer Daniel Sliwinski from team Great Britain who spent an evening session at our club.

"We went into this event with a good level of confidence and the results they achieved in this top quality swimming meet were pleasing."

Ellie gained an impressive two third places in the nine- year-old girls 200 metres Breaststroke and 200 metres Backstroke.

All the others Otter swimmers improved their personal bests in such a high level competition.

The head coach continued: "Our club maybe small in comparison to other clubs but we manage to punch above our weight in these galas."

In the second championships at Manchester the Otters again performed well.

Ellie claimed first place in the nine-year-old girls 50 metres Breaststroke to cap a memorable county championships for her.

Over the two weekends Harwood Otters posted 19 personal bests.

The swimmers who competed over both weekends were Madison Beswick, Ellie Ward, Ben Turland, Matthew Sharpe, Saffron Fenton, Emily Sharpe, Elliot Norman.

The head coach added: "We were also pleased to see two Otters,who have progressed through the swimming ranks and now swim with ‘Elite’ clubs doing really well at the Lancashire Champion-ships – Jordan Theaker(aged 17) and Katy Gaffing (aged 14) both starred in the pool.

"It’s role models like these two swimmers that show our current swimmers what can be achieved at this sport.

"They are both fine athletes who started their swimming careers at our little club."

Any aspiring swimmers who wish to learn more about Great Harwood Otters visit www.otters-swimming-club.co.uk or telephone Joyce Miller for more information on 01254 884 247 or head coach Craig on 01254 351 383.