A PENSIONER with a love of swimming has been nominated for a national award in the sport at more than 90-years-old.

Dora Pearce, 93, from Burnham, found a love of swimming after taking to the water 13-years-ago at the age of 80 and she hasn’t looked back since.

Now, Ms Pearce’s love and passion for the sport has seen her nominated for the Swim England National Awards by staff at Everyone Active’s Wickford Swim and Fitness Centre.

She has been shortlisted in the category of Personal Achievement Award, with the results being announced on November 10 in Birmingham.

Ms Pearce began swimming while she was recuperating from hip surgery and found the sport helped her mobility during her recovery.

After learning to swim with Barracudas Swimming Club, she entered competitions and won six gold medals.

Everyone Active’s Wickford Swim and Fitness centre became her pool of choice when she wanted warm water to swim in and travels 22 miles to swim twice a week.

Everyone Active is the trading name for Sports Leisure Management Ltd (SLM), which operates leisure facilities in partnership with local councils across England.

It is the longest-established leisure operator in the UK, having formed in 1987. At the time, it managed just one leisure centre in the Midlands, whereas today it has grown to operate more than 160 leisure facilities and cultural services across the country in partnership with 49 local authorities.

SLM’s aim is to increase local people’s participation in sports and leisure activities by advocating that all adults achieve a minimum of 30 minutes exercise five times per week.

Julie Hearn, Everyone Active’s Swim Manager for the centre, said: “Dora is an inspiration to us all. She has been active all her life, working in the Land Army during the war and to still be active at 93 is incredible.

“She has a very positive attitude on life and always helps those around her. It was a pleasure to nominate her for the award and we are thrilled that she has been recognised by Swim England in the shortlist.”