Keeley Spooner is the toast of Canvey Island Swimming Club after claiming four gold medals in the BT Junior National Disabled Swimming Championships.

In the swim -- Keeley Spooner, 15, of Canvey Island Swimming Club, shows off her clutch of medals from the BT Junior National Disabled Swimming Championships at Darlington. The GB swimmer picked up four golds, a silver and three bronze at the meeting. Picture: NICK ANSELL 7zgp24m

The 15-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, won a total of eight medals at the two-day event in Darlington, which attracted more than 200 swimmers. Her haul also included three silvers and a bronze.

Golds came in 200m individual medley, 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly and medley relay -- all in personal best times.

Silvers followed in 50m butterfly, 100m individual medley and 100m freestyle, and bronze in the 50m breaststroke.

Her achievements came after recent improvements to her training regime. Keeley -- whose long-term target is the Paralympics -- trains up to six sessions a week and has already represented Great Britain.

Keeley's achievements follow the Canvey club's success in winning the first round of the National Speedo League and scooping 12 medals at the Essex secondaries at Waltham Forest.

Published Thursday, March 21, 2002