Darlington SC

Darlington achieved outstanding success in the first division of the Durham and District Diddy Swimming League by finishing as runners-up.

In only their second season in Division One following promotion in 1998, the club have performed remarkably well to achieve such a high position which follows on from a third place last season.

Their achievement is even greater considering the club went into the final gala lying in fourth position

Darlington have an abundance of young swimmers coming through who are ready to take on the challenge next year and the club are hopeful they will continue the success.

Each age group finished in the top three which in itself is an achievement.

Results: Nine years, second; Ten years, second, 11 years, second; 12 years, third.

Girls 11yrs 50m Freestyle Sarah Piggett; 14yrs 50m Butterfly Kirsby Stephenson; 11yrs 4x25m Freestyle and Medley Relay Anna Tunstall, Sarah Piggett, Kirsty Stephenson and Emily Saxby;

Boys 10yrs 50m Freestyle Lewis Fletcher; 10yrs 50m Backstroke Ian Smurthwaite; 11yrs 50m Backstroke and 50m Breaststroke, Ian Hodgson; 10yrs 4x25m Freestyle Relay Lewis Fletcher, Craig Hart, Ian Smurthwaite and Philip Walker; 11yrs 4x25m Freestyle Relay Sam Watkinson, Ian Hodgson, Matthew Lister and Alex McDonald; Final Gala 1 City of Newcastle 207 points; 2 Darlington 178; 3 Wear Valley 144, 4 Chester-le-Street 129, 5 Tynemouth 122, 6 Gateshead and Whickham 117.

Gill Shea was honoured for her long service to gymnastics with the presentation of a framed scroll from the North of England Gymnastics Association at a dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of the association.

The celebration evening was held at St. Aidan's College, Durham, by Peter Arnold, chairman of the association.

Gill has been involved in gymnastics coaching for both boys and girls for 23 years, first qualifying in 1977. She a founder member of the Bishop Auckland club which is still thriving, holding training sessions at the Bishop Barrington Comprehensive School.

Also receiving the long service award was Colin Smith who lives in Durham, a coach with the Deerness Valley club and is also a judge, and Lyn Hope who coaches with the Biddick Club in Washington, specialising in pre-school coaching.

Also honoured was the late Dale Grosert, a coach at the Belle Vue club in Consett. He died six months ago and the award was received by his widow Julie.

Cleveland's John Atkinson, Irene Metcalfe and Pat Reed from Grangetown Adult Training Centre, who both work with special needs gymnasts, were similarly honoured.

Deerness Valley members Stuart Thompson, Louisa Wood, Katie Lawton, Lindsey Peters and Daniel Hedley, all sports acrobatics, received master gymnast awards having represented Great Britain.

Andrew Atkinson and Nicholas Walton, gained a similar award, both are members of the British disababled gymnasts squad.

Redcar's Jack Grey and Clive Lee from Saltburn were both made made honorary life members.