A DUO from Stanway Swim Club have qualified for the ASA East Region Championships after the club enjoyed its best-ever showing at the Essex Age Group Swimming Championships.

Maddie Smith and Louis Dutch will both compete for Stanway at the regionals after impressing in the county championships, which took place on alternate weekends over a six-week period at both the London Aquatic Centre and Basildon Sporting Village.

Smith, 13, reached the finals in the 50 metres freestyle (fifth place), 50m butterfly (eighth) and 50m backstroke (eighth).

She achieved qualifying times in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Dutch, 15, also earned a spot in the boys' competition, in the 50m breaststroke.

Max Patten, 12, represented Stanway SC in the 50m backstroke (eighth) and 100m freestyle (seventh) finals.

Stanway SC, based at First Strokes Swim School, enjoyed its best-ever counties performance, qualifying for 67 races with fewer than 65 members on its roster and even fewer eligible for the event.

The SSC swimmers who earned places in the county championships all rose to the challenge, coming away with a pack of new personal best times.

Swimmers who qualified are: Davies Kara, Dockerty Eloise, Dutch Louis, Gowland Olivia, Gregory Martha, Guild Joseph, Hankin-Appleby Lochie, Holmes Dominic, Jolly Freya, Lever Kendal, Mills James, Mills Robert, O'Gorman Jack, Patten Max, Saunders Lucy, Sharp Emily, Smith Madison, Watt Isobel, Watt Jessica, White Molly, Wilson George.

Stanway SC is a not-for-profit organisation that provides opportunities for young people to train and to swim competitively.

Led by head coach Tim Sharp, the club offers training sessions for Juniors (aged between seven and 12) and Seniors (aged 12 and 18 years old) each week-day evening at their home pool.

The squad travels to Ipswich on the weekend for experience in a larger pool.

Stanway SC currently has space in its junior squad for swimmers aged between seven and 12 who are competent in all four strokes.

To request a trial, visit www.fsst.org.uk