A talented group of young swimmers from Aylsham Vikings Swimming Club travelled to Waterworld in Thetford to compete in the annual Norfolk County ASA Swimming Championships.

A talented group of young swimmers from Aylsham Vikings Swimming Club travelled to Waterworld in Thetford to compete in the annual Norfolk County ASA Swimming Championships.

Although competition was extremely fierce with competitors from all over Norfolk gathering to take part, the contingent from Aylsham - one of the county's smallest clubs - achieved excellent results and should be extremely encouraged by this improvement in performance.

Twenty-four swimmers competed at the Championships, where long distance events had been held previously at the UEA Sportspark, and out of a total of 165 swims, 120 personal best times were achieved.

The Aylsham club claimed 53 top-six places, of which five were county winners, with seven second places and seven thirds.

Adam Crafer, competing in the events for 12-year-old boys, was the Vikings' most successful swimmer with first places in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 800m freestyle.

He also claimed second place in the 100m individual medley and 50m breaststroke, with thirds in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 200m freestyle.

Alex Witting, 14, can be satisfied that all her hard work in the training pool has at last been rewarded.

She won first place in both the long distance events in her age group - 800m freestyle, 1,500m freestyle - and achieved an overall third place in the

16-years-and-under category over the 1,500m distance.

Alex also claimed four second places: 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 200m backstroke.

County representative Jessica Thorne had a successful meet, gaining second in a highly competitive field in the girls' 15-years 100m backstroke and a third in the 50m freestyle.

Not only has there been a notable increase in the number of Vikings swimmers achieving places in the finals, the club will also be represented at the East Region Swimming Championships later this year, with several swimmers reaching the tough qualifying standard for the first time.

Congratulations to Emily Bowyer (girls' 11-years 100m backstroke), Adam Crafer (boys' 12-years 100m breastroke, 200m breaststroke), Jessica Thorne (girls' 14/15-years 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke) and Alex Witting (girls' 14/15-years 100m freestyle).

With so many talented young prospects emerging through the club's junior ranks, the future looks promising for the north Norfolk club.