Ainitiative aimed at giving promising young swimmers the chance to fulfil their potential with more coaching time has begun with two of the region's clubs launching a partnership unique to the North-East.

Wear Valley and Durham City swimming clubs signed a contract on Saturday enabling members to use each club's facilities, giving them a wider range of activities to choose from.

But, most important, the partnership will give the two clubs additional coaching and extra water time.

To mark the link-up a special ceremony was held at the weekend to which several officials from both clubs and their respective councils attended.

Wear Valley SC's head coach Gary Hollywood is delighted with the development.

He said: "It can only be of benefit to the clubs' members.

"It's the way forward." he added bringing the clubs together ensured gained the best the clubs have to offer.

"Durham are recognised as being able to instill early competitive skills into swimmers while Wear Valley are credited with taking younger swimmers on to the next level - the development brings together two vital coaching skills together.

"Now that we're together we can make it a smoother transition," said Hollywood.

It is important swimmers gain access to as much water time as possible said Gary, and the partnership will produce that. One of Wear Valley's most promising swimmers is 17-year-old Caroline Saxby who trains for a total of 20 hours per week and Hollywood says this is the benchmark for swimmers who wish to improve.

The partnership also means that members of Wear Valley who live in Durham will have the option of using Durham's facilities while continuing to travel to Wear Valley for coaching sessions as well. The same principle applies to Durham's swimmers.

When training at the other club members will be trained by the host club's coaches. "I'll be working closely with Durham to supervise what coaching is needed," said Hollywood.

The agreement also means that Wear Valley can now use the water polo facilities which Durham City have. "It's important what we can offer a better spectrum of activities for the kids.

"It would be remiss of me not to mention that it was Durham City who approached Wear Valley about the partnership. It was Durham who took the initiative. The fact that Durham City came to us and said they want to form a partnership shows it's centred around what's best for the swimmer."

"Durham University have also approached us as they have several national and international swimmers who are with them for academic reasons but because the university can't offer what we can they want to come along here.

"It's very much an informal agreement at the moment but they want to forge links and they have swimmers who are members of the City of Newcastle club who'll be coming here.

The clubs will not lose their identities altogether. They remain individual clubs and will compete as such when taking part in county competitions. It is only at district level and above when members will be tagged as Wear Valley-Durham City members.

And the benefits of the partnership have already been seen with three records being set at the Durham City ASC autumn club championships which involved a record 181 entries.

Dayne Hitch claimed two records in the boys 10yrs 50yds butterfly and 100yds freestyle, shaving over two seconds off the old mark in the latter event.

Robyn Neely took almost five seconds off the old record in the girls 12yrs 200yds individual medley, a time that had stood since 1983. Both swimmers now hold three records each. Robyn has been under the watchful eye of Hollywood for around two months and he believes her success at the event is "without question" due to his coaching.

Club secretary David Mell said: "These achievements are an early sign of the benefits being achieved through our partnership with Wear Valley ASC. The club looks forward to seeing further achievements as the partnership develops.