A SMALL squad of nine swimmers represented Bolton Metro Swimming Squad at the highly prestigious Edinburgh International Long Course Swim Meet in Edinburgh last weekend.

The event was held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and included swimmers from 21 countries, from as far afield as USA, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Malaysia.

The swimmers rubbed shoulders with World Record holders, Olympic and Commonwealth Champions and acquitted themselves brilliantly with numerous personal best swims achieved, with swimmers also qualifying for a number of finals.

The most successful swimmers were Anna Doughty who finished in bronze medal place in both the 50m breaststroke and freestyle as well as qualifying for the 50m butterfly final.

Thomas Gibbs finished just out of the medals in fourth place in the 17-18 category of the 50m freestyle, and also qualified fastest for the 100m butterfly.

Callum Pritchard also qualified for the 16 and under 50metre butterfly final and finished a creditable sixth place.

Mike Robinson (Assistant Head Coach) said: “It was a great weekend and fantastic to see our swimmers competing with some of the best of the UK’s “Age Group” swimmers and to be poolside with such swimming greats as Anthony Ervin and Natalie Coughlin from the US and also GB’s top swimmers such as Adam Peaty, Michael Jamieson, Fran Halsall and Hannah Miley.

"All the swimmers were a credit to the squad and they were supported by a dedicated group of team managers and supporters.

"The qualifying times required to just compete at this meet were extremely difficult, and all the swimmers should be proud of their achievements.

The other successful qualifiers for the event and competed were Jack Dandy, Alex Highcock, James Highcock, James Morrison, Andrew Bolton and Sam Atkinson.