SIMON Pickering says Northwich Centurions are proud of their swimmers' performances at the North West Summer Championships.

Finals places, long-course personal bests and performances better than event seedings are being celebrated after Kyle Hawkins, Ella Richardson, Eleanor Ma, Laila Johnson, Chloe Bedford and George Scurry took to the pool at Manchester Aquatics Centre over three weekends in April and May.

Pickering, Centurions performance head coach, said: “I am pleased for these swimmers; they have performed really well and have made us all proud at the club.

"A lot of the good work that has gone into these swimmers goes back to the high standards of our learn to swim and development sections of the club and those teachers and coaches should also be very proud.”

Highlights included Hawkins' seventh spot in the final of the 15-year-olds' 200m breaststroke, and three places higher than he was seeded in the 50m breaststroke – both faster than he has achieved before.

In the same age group Richardson finished two places higher than ranked in the 50m backstroke in a new best time.

Eleanor Ma was busy, tackling seven different events in the 13-year-olds age band.

Among them was an eighth-place finish and best time in the 100m butterfly final.

Another stand-out result was touching home 10 places higher than her seeding in the 50m butterfly in a 'significant' new best time.

Not to be out shone, Scurry finished eight places higher than his rating in the 50m backstroke in the 14-year-olds' age group.

Bedford, competing in the 13-year-olds' age group, was narrowly outside her fastest time in the 50m backstroke

Johnson successfully qualified in the 50m backstroke but was unable to compete.

Te focus now changes.

“Our club are now looking forward to our summer club championships and we are organising a schools gala benefiting a number of local primary schools,” said Pickering.

Anyone wanting more information about Northwich Centurions can visit northwichcenturions.co.uk.