A SMALL squad of Colchester Phoenix swimmers secured plenty of medals at a disability gala organised by Thetford Lions.

This was the first-ever competition for all but two of the Phoenix swimmers.

Mia Hales set the standard by winning gold in the 25 metres breaststroke and also won bronze position in the backstroke.

Robert Baines won gold in freestyle and silver in breaststroke, while Morgan Taylor got gold in the 25m backstroke.

There was silver in the breaststroke for Sean Thackwray and Alisdair Dunn bagged gold in a very speedy 25m freestyle race and then followed that up with a breaststroke victory.

Thomas Baines performed well in the 100m races - he won gold in the freestyle and silver in the backstroke and breaststroke.

After winning 100m freestyle gold, he went on to swim the last leg of the medley relay in the next race and the freestyle final immediately after.

Colchester Phoenix's freestyle relay team came second in their heat but were out swum in the final by some very strong teams.

The club's medley relay team also swum a very good race, while Helen Thompson swam a brilliant butterfly swim.

Overall, the event had a great atmosphere and all the swimmers were encouraged, cheered and clapped by supporters and other competitors.