JORDAN Theaker was the star of the show as Gallica Swim Squad were crowned National Age Group champions for the second successive year.

The Blackburn Centurians swimmer bagged a personal haul of five medals at the championships held in Sheffield - including double gold in the freestyle events.

The 13-year-old won the 1500m event by an incredible 18 seconds in a time of 16.53.23 and was equally impressive when winning the 800m freestyle in 9.30.53 to finish 10 seconds clear of the field.

He completed his nap hand of medals by taking silvers in the 200m individual medley (2.20.09), 400m individual medley (4.54.55) and 400m freestyle (4.16.44).

Theaker also reached the final of the 200m freestyle where he finished in sixth place in 2.04.55 and also swam in the 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly and 200m backstroke events for a very impressive set of results which enabled him to finish in second place in the BAGCATS Championship.

A total of 18 Gallica swimmers achieved the necessary National Qualifying Times (NQT's) and reached an amazing 38 finals them - winning 14 medals including three golds, six silvers and five bronzes.

National debutants Megan Davis and Anna Hopkin - who both swim for Chorley - were also among the medals.

Davis, aged 11, won bronze in the 200m freestyle in a time of 2.18.53 and also reached the final of the 400m freestyle when she came fifth in 4.50.50. She also swam in the 100m freestyle.

Butterfly specialist Hopkin, also 11, won bronze in the 100m event in a time of 1.11.10 and finished fifth in the 200m in 2.36.61.

Head Coach Rob Greenwood said: "This is a fantastic achievement for everyone connected with Gallica. Despite being formed only three years ago we won the top award in Age Group swimming in the UK for the second year in succession competing against about 500 other clubs.

"This proves our training schedules are working extremely well. As well as recognising the excellent performances of all our swimmers I would like to thank both Age Group Coaches Jonathan Preston and John Dougal who have done a fantastic job over the past 12 months to get the swimmers in shape. I would also like to recognise all the coaches ourclubs in Lancashire who provided the swimmers with their initial development before they joined us. We will be aiming to build on this for next season."

Blackburn Centurians Elliot Smallwood, 11, was 10th in the 200m breaststroke and also swam in the 100m breaststroke while club-mate Ben Edwards, 14, finished in fifth place in the 200m breaststroke and sixth in the 100m breaststroke. He also swam in the 200m and 400m individual medleys. Fellow Centurians swmmer, Elizabeth Undrell, 13, also had a fine Championship whenshe finished in fifth place in the 1500m freestyle and 10th in the 800m freestyle. She also swam in the 400m freestyle Edwards and Theaker were also a part of the relay team that finished in ninth place in the 4x200m freestyle relay and 10th place in the 4x100m medley. Pioneer 79 swimmer, Max Butler, was also involved in the championships and swam in 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle events and the 200m and 400m individual medleys.