FOUR young swimmers are out to make a splash in the finals of the national schools competition today.

The all-girl quartet will be representing Bishop Auckland's St John's RC Comprehensive School in a medley relay at London's Crystal Palace pool.

They qualified by swimming one of the best 16 times in the country - 2min 19.61 sec at Newton Aycliffe pool.

First in the water will be Maria Jago, a 13-year-old backstroke specialist, followed by Joanne Short, 12, swimming breaststroke, Rebecca Golightly 14, on the butterfly leg, and 12-year-old Iona Stonehouse, from Coundon, with the front crawl.

All the girls train with Wear Valley Swimming Club.

Rebecca's mother, Christine, is representing the school at the competition.

She said: "They are a young team and have done exceptionally well to achieve this time. Some of the teams will all be 14. It is usually mostly private schools who get through to the finals, and in the past St John's has been the only comprehensive in the race.