Louise Raybold and Fiona Hopkins rubbed shoulders with top British swimmers when they attended a top awards event.

The 10-year-olds represented Southend's Temple Sutton primary school at the Amateur Swimming Asso-ciation's national awards gala in Northampton.

Shields of confidence - swimming coach Laura Bradshaw with pupils (l-r) George O'Toole, Louise Raybold and Fiona Hopkins Picture: TERRY BUNCH

Commonwealth Games Stars Rebecca Cooke, the women's 800m and 400m freestyle gold medallist, and James Gibson, the mens' 100 metre breaststroke gold medallist, were present at the ceremony.

Temple Sutton, in Eastern Avenue, received the Kellogs Frosties ASA Swimming Award to recognise its ongoing commitment to swimming.

It is the fifth time is six years that the school has picked up the award, which rewards schools whose pupils have progressed in swimming.

Headteacher Frank Gulley said: "They are both outstanding swimmers.

"Both won three medals each at the borough gala as year fives and both have achieved up to Water Skills level six."

But Mr Gulley explained that competitive swimming was the icing on the cake and the school's main aim was to teach pupils aged between three and 11 how to swim.

Published Tuesday, December 17, 2002

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