SWIMMING coach Dave Smith has returned to his native Australia - 27 years after coming to Britain for a 12-month working holiday.

He has left Thirsk Swimming Club to return to his Australian roots and family - and the country he swam for in the 1956 Olympic Games, in Melbourne.

Now 67, he came to the UK in 1972 and ended up being the first full-time club coach in Great Britain, based at a swimming club in Harrogate.

He founded the Hambleton Swim Squad, at Thirsk Swimming Pool, in 1977. That squad amalgamated with the Thirsk Swordfish Team in 1999 to form the Thirsk White Horse Swim Team, which now trains daily at Thirsk Swimming Pool.

During his coaching career, he saw many first-class swimmers come through the ranks to compete in Yorkshire and at national championships at all levels.

"Many of the first youngsters that Dave coached now have youngsters of their own and are just as eager to do their bit in the myriad of swimming competitions available," said Thirsk pool manager Neil Hellawell.

"Dave's influence in coaching has been enormous. But it hasn't just been limited to Thirsk - travelling to competitions around England is normal. Over the past year, strong links have been forged with swimming clubs on the Isle of Man.

"We will miss him here at Thirsk, but wish him well back in his homeland."