PROMISING swimmer Caroline Saxby continued to make a name for herself in the British Long Course Championships recently.

The in form Wear Valley swimmer, who lives in Stockton, came away from the Crystal Palace pool with six medals - a haul that was welcomed with open arms by her coaches at her club, as she became the first female from the Bishop Auckland outfit to gain a top-three placing at the competition.

Now the hope is that Saxby will continue her progress and achieve her aim of being selected for the Great Britain Olympic team in 2004.

The 18-year-old's coach Gary Hollywood believes there is every chance that she can succeed if her performances keep improving as they are.

"At Crystal Palace Caroline was brilliant," said Hollywood, who witnessed freestyle specialist Saxby win five silver medals and one bronze.

"Our target is to get her into the Olympic team and as she is still young she can be at that standard by the time they come around.

"The sponsorship she now has with EBAC in West Auckland means that she will be able to receive all the guidance needed for her to do that."

Saxby is also swimming under the Durham University Aquatics tag and this is something that can only benefit her in the future.

As well as Hollywood's guidance there will also be land fitness work with expert Nick Ward, who is the university's Director of Sport.

And with that advice Hollywood is convinced that his swimmer can improve on her already impressive ranking of fourth in the country.

Reading pair Rebecca Cooke and Holly Fox, and East Essex's Natalie Brown are the only competitors that currently stand in her way.

And Hollywood said: "Cooke is maybe a little too far ahead but as for the other two I think Caroline can overtake them.

"The Commonwealth Games trials are in April and Caroline needs to finish in the top two to qualify. That is well within her capability if she keeps up the good work."

Saxby has impressive long course personal best times of 8:52.00 for the 800m and 16:58.00 in the 1500 freestyle events.

At Palace she took home silvers in the 17-18 year-olds 400m, 800m and 1500m events, and added a 200m bronze in that age grouping.

Saxby's other silver medals came in the women's 800m and 1500m.