HUNDREDS of swimmers converged on the region at the weekend to take part in the Disability Sport England National Junior Championships.
The championships, at Darlington Dolphin Centre, are the only event in Europe for junior swimmers with a disability.
Youngsters aged between ten and 18-years-old took to the pool in front of talent spotters from the Great Britain Amateur Swimming Federation. They included Natalie Jones, who represented Great Britain in last year's Sydney Paralympics, and scores of swimmers from the North-East.
The championships have been held in Darlington for 14 years and are expected to act as a guide towards the next Paralympics in Greece.
Clive Durran, from the Amateur Swimming Federation, who coached the British swimming team in Sydney, said: "The sport has moved on hugely among juniors, and this is one of the best-run competitions in the country, able bodied or disabled."
Pat Bennett, OBE, who is from Darlington, and acts as Disability Sport England's swimming coordinator, said: "It has been very exciting to see an array of talented swimmers."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article