KNUTSFORD Vikings rate the club's performance in the Cheshire County Swimming Championships as 'staggering'.

Eighteen medals were won in individual events, and another five in the relays in 12 sessions over three weekends at Macclesfield Leisure Centre.

A further 56 top-eight placings were achieved, as well as 17 new summer regional championships consideration times.

Madeline Pratt and Abby Comline led the way as county champions.

"We are immensely proud of our swimmers and their achievements during the Championships," said Vikings head coach Phil James.

"We have a very exciting pool of young swimming talent to develop and look forward to in years to come with more working their way through the ranks."

James put the successes into perspective in comparisons to bigger clubs who benefit from higher availability of pool times for training.

"We must remember that this is all achieved in a relatively small four-lane pool, with a maximum pool time of 7.5 hours per week with no early mornings," said James.

"To watch our swimmers go toe to toe with competitors from the more elite swimming clubs from around Cheshire is testament to the talent of our swimmers and the hard work and dedication of our brilliant coaching team, who are all supported by a very forward thinking, hard working and dedicated committee."

Pratt's two gold medals came in the 800m free and 400m individual medley, while she also claimed two silvers and two bronze.

Comline was crowned senior champion in 100m free, and added a silver over the shorter distance.

Tom O'Brien, the fourth best 12-year-old boy in the competition, completed a hat-trick of silver medals in 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke to go with his 100m individual medley bronze.

Backstroke 50m silver and 200m bronze were earned by Eloise Perritt.

Gongs for second place were also awarded to Adam Bradley (200m breaststroke) and Chloe Bedford (50m backstroke).

Bronze medals were received by Evie Blackburn (50m fly), the eighth best 12-year-old girl overall, and Annabel Wallace (100m breast), who finished as the seventh best 10/11-year-old girl in the championships.

Regional Championships consideration times were achieved by Abby Moore (50m free), Adam Bradley (50m, 100m and 200m breast), Madeline Pratt (800m free), Eloise Perritt (50m, 100m and 200m back), Will James (50m, 100m and 200m back), Emily Fozard (100m back, 50m breast), Chloe Bedford (50m fly), Harvey James (50m fly), Evie Blackburn (100m back and 100m fly).

The relays provided even more excitement, super fast swims, medals and top eight finishes:

Gold:

Open mixed 200m free (4x50m free): Ben Cleaveley, Louis Thomas, Abby Comline, Libby Scammell

Silver:

10/12 mixed 200m medley (4x50m medley): Eloise Perritt, Tom O'Brien, Evie Blackburn, Ed Jones

10/12 girls' 200m medley (4x50m medley): Eloise Perritt, Annabel Wallace, Evie Blackburn, Abby Moore

13/14 boys' 200m medley (4x50m medley): Will James, Adam Bradley, Ben Fisher, Oliver Chase

Bronze:

Open men's 200m free (4x50m free): Ben Cleaveley, Louis Thomas, Ben Mitchell, James Petty

"We now look forward to the Peaks and Plains competition which starts later this month, while also starting our preparation for the upcoming Summer Regional Championships in Manchester and Liverpool," said James.

Swimmers interested in joining the club should contact Knutsfordasc@googlemail.com