Waltham Forest Gators won 17 medals and set 74 new personal bests at Thurrock Swimming Gala at the weekend.

Twenty-eight of the times set were Essex County qualifying times, meaning more club members will now attend the Essex Championships at the start of next year.

Coach Tony Hill commented: “I love the attitude of the swimmers. If they get a bad time in one race they are determined to fight and get a PB in the next. That’s what its all about, training hard and doing your best.”

The Gators won five golds, four silvers and eight bronze medals, with Amy Allison securing four golds and one bronze in the nine-year-old category.

At the London Winter Championships, the Gators’ 14-and-over swimmers returned with 37 personal bests from just 41 races.

Amirta Robertson came third in the 200m freestyle event and second in the 400m freestyle.

Coach Hill said: “Train hard and the results will come – that is certainly true of all our swimmers at the moment.”