Laura Stephens has switched her focus to the forthcoming National Swimming Championships after claiming a double gold at the British Gas International Meet in Manchester.

The Colchester Swimming Club member, who now represents Plymouth College where she is undertaking a scholarship, was victorious in both the women’s 16 years and under 200 metres butterfly and 200m Individual Medley finals at the Aquatics Centre.

Stephens, 15, a former Colchester High School for Girls pupil, clocked a time of two minutes 16.38 seconds to win the 200m butterfly final.

And she also claimed gold in the 200m individual medley final, after recording 2m 22.95s.

Stephens is now preparing for the National Age Group Championships, which take place in Sheffield on July 30.

Stephens told the Daily Gazette: “Manchester went really well.

“Making junior finals in all of my events was great and winning the 200m individual medley and 200m fly couldn’t have gone much better.

“I was also really pleased with the new personal bests which I swam, even though we’re still in full training.

“I’m now really looking forward to the nationals and representing GB in Portugal.”

For the full story, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.