Bedale Sharks have started the new season with a bang. In previous years they had been bottom of the Moors swimming league, being the smallest and newest club.

But on Saturday at Felling, near Gateshead, they were a clear second out of four teams, only beaten by last year's winners, Stokesley.

As a result, three members of the club, Joseph Potts, Miles Johnson and James Dixon, have been invited to represent the Moors swimming squad at the Northumberland and Durham County teams championships at Felling.

There were numerous outstanding performances on Saturday by the Sharks and the team had 12 wins. Joseph Potts won all four of the 12 years and under races, while Charlotte Hanson won three in the open age group, including a magnificent time of 29.51 for the 50m freestyle. Nikki Priestley won two individual races.

Joseph Potts was also in the 12 years team which came second in the medley relay and fifth in the freestyle team.

His bronze medal is the first county medal presented to a Bedale swimmer and compensates for his close fourth in the individual county championships 50m backstroke at Darlington in March.

Miles and James were in the 13 years teams which came eighth in the medley and freestyle.

Tomorrow, the Sharks host the next league competition at Bedale leisure centre.