SWIMMER Denise Baker struck gold at the British Transplant Games.

Denise, from Darlington, claimed first place in the women's 50 metres butterfly in her age group at the games, held in Loughborough, Leicestershire, last weekend.

The 44-year-old also collected bronze medals in the 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle.

Denise, who trains regularly at Darlington Dolphin Centre with coach Ray Walker, said: "I went down with ambitions but I was really pleased with what I got. You never know what the competition is going to be like because you've got no idea how everybody will perform."

Denise has set her sights on the World Transplant Games in France next year and is trying to raise enough money to compete there.

She has won medals at the last three World Games, including a gold medal in Sydney, Australia, in 1997.

Denise took up swimming to help her lose weight after she received a kidney transplant in 1987.

She said: "What we are doing is proving to people you can become fit after falling ill, and showing that carrying a donor card does do some good."