SWIMMING coach David McNulty will be happily thrown in the deep end this month when he takes charge of Great Britain's Swimming World Cup team.

Mr McNulty has gone from head coach at Derwentisde amateur Swimming Club to the man with the nation's hopes on his shoulders.

As the new head coach for the Great Britain senior team, he will be aiming to inspire the country's best swimmers during the European legs of the competition in Paris, Stockholm and Berlin, between January 17 and 25.

As coach at the Belle Vue sports complex, in Consett, County Durham, Mr McNulty guided North Yorkshire's Nicola Jackson to great things last year, including a gold medal at the World Swimming Championships, in Japan.

His new role will see him coaxing the best out of world record holders Mark Foster and Sarah Price. Mr McNulty said: "I gained valuable experience in Japan and look forward to taking the responsibility."