A LONG-STANDING Halstead Swimming Club record was broken as their young members competed at round one of the National Junior League.

Halstead have competed in this prestigious league for 11 years in a division that consists of 13 clubs, most of which are London-based with significantly larger member bases.

The aim of the league is to promote inter-club competition for nine to 12-year-olds to encourage their progression in swimming and participation in sport and Halstead assistant head coach John Lowe was thrilled with the team's performance in the opening round.

Emilia Rayner was competing for the club in her first gala and caught the eye with an outstanding swim in the 25 metre butterfly as she broke the club record.

The record had remained unbroken for nine years and was broken by Rayner by just over a second.

The club's nine years girls' and boys' teams also swam exceptionally well.

The boys' nine years freestyle team achieved a first place, while individually, Rayner achieved a first place in the butterfly and Daniel Andrews also achieved a victory in the nine years butterfly, along with Jude Kirk who won the nine years boys' breaststroke.

Halstead team: Emilia Rayner, Isabella Lewis, Daisy Turp – Daws, Lillia Haylock, Jude Kirk, Daniel Andrews, Ethan Howard, Ellis Saunders, Lillia Nash, Tahlia Haylock, Ruby Weaver, Abigail Gowers, Jack Smith, Thomas Robb, Ryan Phillips, Jasmine Bale, Arwen Mortier, Emily Kay, Rose Forster, Franklin Farren, Louie – John Alderton, Rose Vinter, Keira harris, Zoe Krishnan, Emily Adams, Hayden Miller, Jack Weaver, William Gerrard, Thomas Bale.

Halstead's youngsters will be competing in the second round of the league on May 20.

The club are holding a trial for potential new swimmers.

Anyone interested in competing competitively, who is competent in all four strokes, can contact club secretary Donna Hall for further details by email at dsdtdkjwhall@tiscali.co.uk or on 07759 191488.