A LOCAL swimmer has returned from the Scottish National Age Group Championships as Scottish Champion.

Stephanie Blakeburn, a member of Billingham Amateur Swimming Club and Tees Active Sports Academy was triumphant in the 100m freestyle winning gold in a personal best of 1.01.73.

But this talented 13-year-old from Billingham was not content with her gold medal, whilst competing over the four days of the championships held in Tolcross, Glasgow, she competed in nine different events and managed to pick up a silver in the 200m freestyle, and bronze in both the 400m and 800m freestyle, achieving personal bests in all nine events.

This modest teenager has been swimming for five years and is inspired by American swimming star Michael Phelps.

She trains six days a week at Billingham Forum under the guidance of Billingham swimming coach Guy Fawkes, and is the first swimmer from Billingham ASC to win a gold medal at the Scottish National Championships.

Blakeburn's ultimate goal is to compete at the London 2012 Olympics.

She said "I am over the moon with my performance at the Scottish Nationals, this has been the highlight of my swimming career so far, but I realise that I have to now focus on training hard for the British Age Group Championships in July."

Blakeburn was not the only success for Billingham at the Scottish Nationals.

Team-mate and fellow Academy member Glen Martin won silver in the 100m breastroke and bronze in the 800m freestyle whilst Chris Wilkinson finished 8th in the tough 16-18 age group butterfly final.

* For further information on Tees Active Sports Academy contact Academy manager Allan McDermott on (01642) 528772 or visit www.teesactive.co.uk