AFTER two decades, the reign of Darlington's secondary school swimming champions has come to an end.

The Darlington Secondary Schools Swimming Gala took place at the Dolphin Centre on Monday night, with Hummersknott School and Language College defending its title.

The school had won the boys' team event for the previous 20 years, and the girls' and overall titles for 21 years. But this year, perennial runners-up Longfield Comprehensive scooped all three titles, with Hummersknott in second place.

Polam Hall School for Girls came third in the girls' event. Hurworth House was third in for the boys' trophy and Carmel RC Technology College took third place in the overall event.

Keith Gilbertson, Longfield head of physical education, said: "It's a real achievement for us. No school has touched Hummersknott.

"We have been coming second, but we have never really pushed them before. We are absolutely delighted."

* All the names are published with the help of the event organisers and checked with the schools wherever possible. The Northern Echo has made every effort to ensure it is accurate