A HASLINGDEN High school student has been rated as one of the top open water swimmers in the country after battling illness to swim in a national competition.

Beth Hartwell, who is in Year Seven, completed the 1,500 metre swim at Rother Valley Lake in Sheffield in just over 21 minutes despite having an ear infection.

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It was her second competitive open water event after she secured a place after competing in a regional competition in Salford Quays.

The 12-year-old is now hoping to win another place in the national open water finals and to swim in the English and British indoor competitions.

Beth gets up at 4am in time for 5.30am swimming lessons six days a week.

She swims in the school team and is also a member of Pioneer 79 in Accrington, but only took up open water swimming recently after her mum decided to take on an Iron Man challenge.

She said: “I had really bad earache and it really hurt and so I did not have much sleep at the hotel we were staying at in Sheffield.

“Despite all that, it went really well and I finished in 20th place overall.

“I felt really good when I got the result and it was a real achievement for me to go there and to finish well and not be last place.

“Even though my ear hurt, I was never not going to complete the swim.

“I finished the 1,500m race in 21 minutes, 18 seconds.

“The water was really warm - too warm really, and must have been 25c where as I prefer it to be colder.

“We did get a warm up session of 15 minutes in the water before the race this time and that helped to prepare you.”

Beth’s mum Cath said: “After a night of very limited sleep due to the ear and heat she got in the water and swam regardless of her pain.

“She was actually sick in the water on her first lap, but still carried on.

“We are all very proud of her for carrying on despite her illness.

“She did have a great experience which has spurred her on to try to qualify for next year.”