A fifteen strong squad from Carnforth Otters Swimming Club enjoyed outstanding success with finalists in 38 out of 42 events at the 22nd Tameside 50-metre sprints at Stalybridge.

Twenty four clubs from all over Lanca-shire, Greater Man-chester, Cheshire and North Wales took part - but the Otters more than held their own.

Prominent among the locals was 12-year-old Robert Bale, who not only won his age group in three out of four strokes but also came second in the men's individual medley and third in the men's freestyle - both open age swims.

Not surprisingly, he won the award for overall 'top boy' in the competition.

Another excellent backstroke swim from talented Emily Jackson produced a win in a time which sliced 0.1 second off a compe-tition record that had stood for 10 years.

Other Otters winners were Chantal Peach, Harriet McGregor, Ashley Wright and Nicholas Tawn, while 10-year-old Luke Harrison achieved a second place behind Nick Tawn in backstroke - an event he will still qualify to swim next year.

The placing of Otters' competitors were -

Boys - 10/11 years: Nicholas Tawn 1st in breaststroke, 2nd free-style and fly.

Luke Harrison, 2nd breast-stroke.

12/13 years: Robert Bale: 1st in fly, freestyle and breast-stroke, 2nd open age individual medley, 3rd open age back and freestyle.

14/15 years: Ashley wright: 1st backstroke, 2nd open age freestyle, 5th open age individual medley, 6th breaststroke.

Richard Docton, 5th fly.

Girls - 10/11 years: Emily Jackson: 1st backstroke, 5th breast-stroke; Holly Young: 5th breaststroke, 6th freestyle.

12/13 years: Fay young: 2nd backstroke, 4th fly and freestyle, 6th breast-stroke.

14/15 years: Stacey Walker, 2nd fly.

Chantal Peach: 1st freestyle, fly and open age free, 3rd breast-stroke and backstroke, 4th open age individual medley.

Laura Devey: 3rd freestyle, 5th fly and backstroke, 6th breaststroke and open individual medley.

Harriet McGregor: 1st backstroke and open individual medley, 3rd fly, 4th breaststroke and freestyle.