EIGHT young lifesavers made a splash in a national competition recently.

The youngsters - part of the weekly Rookie lifesaving group, which meets at Bedale Leisure Centre - were representing the Hambleton district in the national lifesaving championships.

They competed in pairs against groups from across the North-East.

They took part in four events: water and land-based initiative tests, a line throw and a swim-and-tow.

In the run-up to the competition, the group undertook a specialised training plan which involved extra sessions locally as well as training with more experienced squads from the Royal Lifesaving Society’s Northumberland and Durham branch.

But the extra training paid off, with the pairs securing a set of placings – 3rd, 4th, 8th and 9th - in the regional final of the competition. However the group missed by one place the opportunity to represent the region in the next round of the competition.

Councillor, Peter Wilkinson, Hambleton’s member for health, who watched the group in training at Bedale Leisure Centre said: "Seeing the dedication of both the youngsters who are part of the group and the tutors who lead the sessions is a real eye-opener.

"The work taking place in Bedale and the successes they are enjoying highlights the excellent opportunities available in our district."

For more information about lifesaving opportunities in Bedale, call the leisure centre on 01677-427272