SOPHIE Freeman claimed three gold medals as Colchester Swimming Club members produced a dazzling display at the British Summer Championships, in Sheffield.

Naythan Aung, Elinor Duley, Martha Duley, Olivia Norman and Asma Parker also competed against Britain’s best swimmers on the national stage.

They claimed a total of six medals between them at Ponds Forge, after successfully qualifying for the prestigious event.

Colchester SC head coach Michelle Young said: “For a club of our size to have six swimmers compete at this level and finish 28th on the British Summer Championships medal table with three golds, one silver and two bronze medals is an outstanding result.

"We are exceptionally proud of all of our swimmers who represented the club wonderfully.”

Freeman, fresh from her Scottish Nationals success, got off to a great start with a new best time in the 200 metres freestyle heats.

In a closely-contested final, she achieved a new personal best (PB) to take fourth place.

Freeman then secured best times in both the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle, before then upping her game in the 200m and 50m butterfly.

She took command from the start of both races to put in very determined swim, claiming both British Championship titles whilst furthering her previous best times.

She was also fifth in the 50m backstroke and fourth in the 400m freestyle.

And after winning 1,500m freestyle bronze, she finished on a high with a sparkling performance in the 100m butterfly for her third gold medal.

Sisters Martha Duley and Ellie Duley displayed superb technical expertise and ability to raise their performance to a new level with PBs and finish in the top echelons of British swimming.

Martha was ninth place in the 19 & overs 100m backstroke final, narrowly missed out on the 50m free and 200m backstroke finals.

And after a tied time swim-off, she produced a phenomenal 100m freestyle PB followed up with a great performance in the 50m backstroke for a well-deserved silver.

Ellie continues to display great future potential after finishing ninth in the 17/18 age group.

She was fourth in the 50m butterfly final and also reached the 100m butterfly final while just missing out on the 50m free final after an excellent display of sprinting ability.

Aung (100m backstroke), Norman (200m backstroke) and Parker (50m butterfly and backstroke) all acquitted themselves exceptionally well, gaining valuable experience of high level competition with excellent performances to put them in good stead for future events.

Colchester SC president and coach Ian Johnson said: “It's been a very successful Championship for the club.

"There's no magic formula for the results these athletes have achieved.

"They have embraced a seasoned period of regular hard training and their committed to it has been reflected in their superb portfolio of achievements. Congratulations to them all.”