AWARD-WINNING young swimmer Laura Whitfield received tips from the top yesterday.

Four-times Olympic competitor Mark Foster travelled to the North-East to put Laura and her swimming club friends through their paces in a session at her school pool.

Laura has overcome a condition called achondroplasia to make a real splash in the swimming world.

Her commitment to the sport, which sees the dedicated 14-year-old train seven times a week, impressed judges at The Northern Echo's Local Heroes Awards in November.

As the 2003 Local Heroes winner she was presented with £500 from sponsors Orange, which also arranged for her to train with Foster.

He passed on tips to Laura and friends, Paul Robinson, 16, Kirsten Michie, 14, and 15-year-old Stephen Gordon, at St Anthony's Girls' School pool in Sunderland. All four are elite members of the South Sunderland and South Tyneside swimming clubs.

Laura is preparing for next month's Paralympic trials, in Sheffield, and Foster was highly impressed with her work.

"I hope she goes on to make it in the Paralympics, if not this time, at the next one in four years. She will realise all the hard work pays off."

Laura, from East Herrington, Sunderland, said: "It's been great. He was able to pass on some tips and teach me some different training techniques."

Maureen Dixon, regional sponsorship manager for Orange, said: "This has been a great opportunity for Laura and her friends to learn from one of the UK's best swimmers.

"It's great that Mark could take time out from his busy schedule to support Local Heroes. We appreciate it very much.

"Local Heroes goes from strength to strength and is truly representative of the commitment and dedication in grass roots sport."

She said Laura, "epitomised everything Local Heroes stands for", and was a deserving winner