The girls team at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington has qualified for the finals of the National Schools' championships at Crystal Palace on February 8 and 9.

The Under-19 team, who are Ruth Fay, Angela Winstanley-Smith, Jill Hunter and Stephanie Surtees, will compete in the medley relay and freestyle relay events, having clocked excellent times in the regional heats.

The foursome are A-level students at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and, in addition, all swim for Sedgefield 75 Club and are coached by John Moore.

Angela and Jill have swum together since primary school and Angie is on the world-class potential programme for exceptional swimmers.

Proud Julia Atkinson, Head of PE at Queen EIizabeth Sixth Forrn College, said: "I'm delighted with the girls' success. They have done well to qualify and I expect them to be in a medal position in the finals.

The team's success has won them sponsorship. The College's Student Association has funded their accommodation, GNER have provided rail tickets and Acorn Dairy and Dunns of Shildon have sponsored T-shirts and other kit.

Angle Winstanley-Smith, 16, who normally competes individually, said: "It's nice to swim in a relay team at such a high level, with a good chance of a medal. We are proud to be representing Queen Elizabeth College and have all pulled together training extremely hard."