A QUARTET of Colchester Swimming Club aces have qualified for this year’s British Championships.

Ellie Duley, Martha Duley, Sophie Freeman and Livi Norman will all represent their club at the Edinburgh International Meet in March, competing against the best swimmers in Britain.

Thirteen-year-old Freeman has qualified in seven events - the 50 metres, 100m and 200m butterfly, the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke and the 50m freestyle.

Norman, 15, has achieved the standard in six events - the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, the 200m butterfly and the 200m and 400m IM.

Ellie Duley, 17, has qualified in the 50m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly and her sister, Martha, 18, will compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, the 50m and 100m freestyle and the 50m butterfly.

Colchester head coach Michelle Young said: "The British Championships are the highlight of the national calendar and this event will be used for selection trials for the British team for the European Junior Championships.

"I'm so proud that Sophie, Olivia, Ellie and Martha have all achieved the exceptionally tough qualifying times and will be swimming alongside Olympic champions and finalists such as Adam Peaty, James Guy, Chris Walker-Hebbon, Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, Jazz Carlin, Molly Renshaw and Chloe Tutton.

“Everyone at the club is rightly very proud of their achievement.

"I'm delighted to say that Laura Stephens, of Plymouth Leander and a Colchester member, will also be competing as she continues to gear-up for her first-ever Commonwealth Games appearance."

This year's British Championships will be incorporated into the Edinburgh International Swim Meet and take place at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, from March 1 to 4.