DETERMINED Cub Scout Joseph Smith is the pride of his pack after making a sensational single-handed splash at a recent swimming championship.

Ten-year-old Joseph swept the board to win all his races in three strokes in one evening at the Durham City Cub Scouts Swimming Gala.

He was thrown in at the deep end when he arrived at the city baths - as he was the only member of the Belmont 1st pack to turn up for the annual event.

Joseph, of Sherburn Hill, near Durham, barely had time to live up to the Cub Scout motto, "Be Prepared", as he plunged in for the first race.

He won and, despite being urged to take a rest and sit out a few events, he carried on regardless, entering and winning all the heats and finals, in freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke.

Joseph ended the night as winner of 12 races and when the points were tallied up, Belmont 1st won the plaque for top pack, thanks entirely to the efforts of their single competitor.

The Pittington Primary School pupil described the experience as, "the best night of my life", although he hopes to have some help at next year's gala.

Proud pack leader Yvonne Kemp said: "Normally they would each do a few races each, but as he was the only one there he just did them all.

"I didn't realise he was such a good swimmer. He showed sheer determination and just wouldn't give up."