JAMES Oxborrow and Emily Barclay continued the fine form they showed at the British Senior Championships by taking gold at the North West regionals.

Fresh from competing against Britain's best in Glasgow at the Olympic trials, the Bolton Metro Swim Squad members swept all before them in the ASA North West Regional Summer Championships.

Oxborrow and Barclay finished first in the 50m freestyle races for swimmers aged 17 and over.

The regionals pit together the finest young swimmers from across the North West over a series of weekends, with the over-17s age group competing first.

As well as his gold medal in the 50m free, Oxborrow also won bronze in the 100m free and 50m backstroke.

There was also a silver medal for Arran Bostock in the 200m backstroke, while Anna Doughty picked up bronze in the 100m free.

Bolton's Niamh Knowles, James Morrison and Mollie McArt also made it to the finals of their respective events.

The relay teams were in action too, with three of the four BMSS teams competing swimming fast enough to qualify for the ASA National Championships.

That means eight BMSS swimmers – Anna Doughty, Rachel Morris, McArt, Barclay, Jack Dandy, Oxborrow, Morrison and Bostock – will go on to compete against the top swimmers across the UK.

Head coach Mike Robinson said: "To qualify for the regionals is an achievement in itself, and these results show the high standard Bolton Metro's squad is reaching.

"We are very proud of these youngsters, who do so much to reach this level.

"There are now two more weekends of regional competitions ahead, and we look forward to our swimmers excelling there too."

Bolton Metro Swim Squad is a centre of excellence, which develops young swimmers from local clubs and helps them achieve their full potential.

It relies on funding from parents and sponsors. To help the club with sponsorship, email bmss.chair@outlook.com