Swimmer, Chris Alderton, is representing Great Britain for the first time is taking part in the FINA World Cup in Australia having recently spent time competing in the Chinese leg of the competition.

The Hartlepool 15-year-old, who attends the town's St Hild's Church of England School, swims for Wear Valley, Durham University Aquatics but remains a member of Hartlepool SC and is currently on international duty in Melbourne.

He was selected as part of a junior team to swim in Shanghai, China to gain experience in the countries that are to host the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

This is Alderton's first international competition and says he is thrilled to be selected and earn his first caps for Great Britain. The juniors selected are accompanying many of the seasoned senior swimmers has made the trip even more enjoyable he said.

Whilst in Melbourne Alderton is hoping to meet the Australian swim team that featured in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester earlier this year.

He is very pleased with his performances so far and is looking forward to swimming three events at Melbourne, alongside the likes of world record holders Grant Hackett and Peter Van De Hoogenband but has taken time to thank coach, Gary Hollywood.

Hollywood's dedication and drive has inspired Alderton immensely and the Cleveland Community Foundation have offered continued support while his family are delighted with his success and hope he can continue to improve and perform to reach his goals of Olympic gold and a world record.

Results - 400m Freestyle: 13th place in a time of 4.01.63 (a new North-Eastern Counties junior record).

1500m Freestyle: 5th place in a time of 15.23.23 (a new British junior record, While swimming this event Chris also broke the 800m British junior record).