ARRAN Bostock and Jack Dandy both picked up bronze medals at the Scottish Gas Age Group National championships.

The teenagers were part of a six-strong team sent to Aberdeen Sports Village by Bolton Metro Swim Squad.

As well as the two medals, a number of the young swimmers also achieved qualifying times for the British National Championships.

Coach Tom McManus said: “I am so proud of our squad and these swimmers.

“We came to this gala hoping to get a few qualifying times for the British Nationals yet walked away with not only the times, but some medals and superb swims by the whole team.

“All the swimmers are working hard in training and I am delighted for Arran and Jack to place in the finals while also achieving the national qualifying times.

“Arran has continued on from the great form he showed at the regionals and Jack continues to impress following surgery on his hand.”

The gala brings together the top clubs and swimmers in Scotland, while offering the chance for non-Scots to compete should they achieve the very strict qualifying time.

BMSS had four swimmers entering as individuals: Jessie Harper, aged 14, Bostock, 14, Dandy, 15, and Oscar Oldbury-Swift, 14, while Callum Pritchard and Stephen Hancock, both 14, were included in the 4x200m freestyle relay team.

Bostock won a bronze medal in the 200m freestyle and finished fourth in the final of the 200m backstroke, achieving GB national qualifying times in both.

He was very unlucky not to medal in both races after missing out on bronze on the touch in the backstroke after smashing his personal best time. Dandy finished third in a frantic 50m freestyle final that saw him improve on his time in the heats by a second and achieve the GB national qualifying mark.

There were strong swims by Oldbury-Swift in the 400m freestyle and Harper, who qualified to swim in four events (100m and 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley, and 100m butterfly).

Despite being one of the youngest swimmers in her age group – after only turning 14 two weeks before the event – she enjoyed a number of top-15 finishes.

The boys’ freestyle relay team followed up their impressive first place at the North West regionals with an overall fourth place, beating some of the biggest clubs in Scotland.

They were in third place going into the final changeover, but were just unable to hold on.

“Jessie was excellent in her second Scottish Nationals and I was impressed with the relay team that gave it everything and came up just short in the end,” added McManus. “Roll on the British Nationals.”