British National Age Group Championships: FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD David Carter, of Darlington Amateur Swimming Club, clinched a silver medal in the 200metres Breast stroke final at the British National Age Group Championships in Sheffield International Pool last week.

He swam a brave race leading at every turn to be pipped by the Scottish National Champion in the last second.

He went on the next day to take bronze in the 100metres Breast. Both times were personal best times and qualifies him for a place on the World Class Start Programme that aims to bring an intensive training for up and coming stars of the future.

Emma Willson, 11, also qualified for the first time at National Age Group in the 100m and 200m Breast and swam brilliantly to make the 100m Breast stroke final and took 6th place in a lifetime best improving her recent Scottish National time.

Youth Championships

Chris Alderton won a silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Paris last week, although he swam a personal best it could not be counted as a British Junior record - which Chris holds for both 800 &1500m freestyle.

Alderton, of Durham Aquatics, was making his first appearance of the competition as he contested the 1500m freestyle. The British Junior Record Holder looked in great shape as he cruised home in a personal best time of 15:48.31 to take the silver medal behind Gergo Kiss of Hungary, who took gold in 15.33.08.

"I'm really pleased to have swum a best time. The race went really well at the start and even though I started to feel a bit tired towards the end I dug in and still brought it home quite fast" he said.

The Durham swimmer was well clear of the third placed Russian Maxim Luchinov and with Kiss opening up a commanding lead, was forced to swim most of the race effectively on his own.

"After about 500m there was a big gap in front of me and behind me which made it a bit harder, but it didn't bother me. I expected to get a best time and to get a medal as well is just a great bonus for me."