A new British record was established at the GB Club Team Swimming Championships held at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, Weston-super-Mare, at the weekend.
The Stockport Metro ladies 4 x 100m freestyle team took three-tenths of a second off the British record, whilst Sue Rolph, of Newcastle, narrowly missed the national butterfly record by one fraction of a second.
Other senior internationals were also on form with wins from Paul Palmer, Adam Ruckwood, Jamie King, Mark Foster and Tatsuya Kinugasa of Japan.
The country's best swimmers were in action at the championships providing the West Country with a rare glimpse of international talent.
North Somerset Council's Swimming Development Officer Carl Wood, who was on the management committee for the event, said: "Bringing the event to Weston was a tremendous success for the competitors and for the spectators.
"This is the first time in recent years that local swimmers have had the opportunity to see our top swimmers in action. Normally to see an event of this standard you would have to travel to the north or to Scotland.
"We are now seeking support to put in a bid to host the event again in the year 2000."
The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) was very pleased with the way the event was run and also with the number of spectators who attended. "We always print the same number of event programmes each year and this is the first time that we have ever run out," said Judy Mott, of the ASA.
The women's competition was won this year by Stockport Metro, with City of Leeds winning both the men's and the overall team events.
More Information, Results, Video Clips and Photographs from the meet can be found on the internet via http://www2.prestel.co.uk/swim
For further information contact Carl Wood on (01275) 810995.