Swim star Harmonie Fry-Oliff got her pool career off to a flying start by taking gold in the Independent Schools Association national swimming championships.

The eight-year-old, who attends Gosfield School in Halstead, was competing in her first major event at the London Olympic Aquatic Centre in front of a crowd of more than 500.

She was one of three girls from the school selected to swim for the East Anglia region and was joined by Hannah Barlow, 14, from Great Waldingfield, Suffolk, and 11-year-old Isabella Flynn Haddon, from Earls Colne.

It was Harmonie who made the biggest splash – first in the pool for her 50m backstroke event.

In her first competitive gala, the youngster swam with real confidence through the first 30 metres and as the race entered its final ten metres, she continued to pull away and finished three seconds ahead of her nearest rival in 42 seconds.

She said: “I didn’t expect to win because of the competition being all the regional winners from across the country.

“I am shocked but very happy and it makes me want to race more.”

Dr Sarah Welch, head of Gosfield School and chairman of the ISA, said: “Harmonie swam strongly and led the race from start to finish.

“It was a super performance.

“Although she won by an impressive margin, she told me she was surprised to have come first – but really thrilled. She looked so happy as she received her gold medal.”

Barlow only found out she was swimming at 11pm the night before and stepped into both the medley and freestyle relay squads.

She had to swim her least favourite breaststroke in the medley but kept her position in the race as the team finished fourth.

Flynn Haddon also swam in both relay events in her age group and put in commendable performances for the team.

Gosfield School PE teacher Zoe Mortimer-Ford said: “All the girls should be congratulated for being selected to swim for the East Anglia region and for their excellent displays on the day.”