RAMSBOTTOM Rascals have pledged to go it alone - formally abandoning any idea of being part of a borough-wide elite squad.

The clubs head coach Rick Wesolowski blamed the town hall for "not wanting to know" about helping create a top team from the borough's three swimming clubs able to compete on equal terms with youngsters from other more go-ahead local authority areas.

"I don't want to put any more time into this," said Wesolowski in his annual report to the club's AGM on Wednesday.

"We are now competing in the highest club level competition in the country, the North West Speedo League Premier Division.

"I constantly go on about motivation, commitment and staying focused but for us to be successful as a team we all need to stay motivated, committed and focused.

"Our teachers and coaches have been outstanding, our officials have been so supportive we must be the envy of the Northern Counties area.

"I reported to the AGM last year the progress or lack of progress of the Bury Metro squad, and that I felt we should channel our efforts into developing our own high achievers and not waste any more time on this project, I am sure this decision contributed to our success in the Speedo Competition.

"We targeted the Speedo League as our main objective of the season, emphasis was placed on targeted swimmers and we arranged special sessions on starts, turns, transitions, takeovers and sprint finishes and it paid dividends. We were on top off our sport and all who took part be they swimmers, coaches or officials should be very proud of our status.

We again provided the bulk of the Central Lancashire Inter Association Age Group Team but with me being out of action and able to lead the team, they were not as successful as in recent years.

The Nelf team, led by John Taylor, provided us with many close Galas with a number of experimental swimming taking part; we did however strengthen the team for the end of season Rawtenstall Cup and gained a good victory in a highly competitive gala, back to back Central Lancashire Junior League Champions, runners up spot in Senior and Intermediate League and good performances in Central Lancashire, Lancashire and Northern Counties Championships together with other open meets filled our weekend.

Alan Carruthers skill in organising the various teams and with his involvement in the membership resulted in him being voted the Bury Metro Sports Council Official of the Year.

Our young development swimmers are a treat to see, so skilful, so confident and an asset to our club.

Junior and intermediate squads progress at breakneck speed and we must thank Derek, Paul, Marc, Peter, Shirley, Kevin, Alan, Carol, Dia, Andrew, Graham and Alan Sugarman for all their time, effort, skill and commitment in bringing these swimmers along.

The senior group has progressed well during the year and we saw a number of outstanding performances from Sue Hays, Danny Stredder, Cath Grady, Rick Marks, to name just a few.

We need to find a way for the club swimmers to be able to train at an intensity in line with their commitment away from the high achievers. We have lost a small number of them because they cannot cope with swimming 3000 metres per hour.

It's all change at the top with Diane Wood standing down as chairman after seven years to be replaced by husband John. She was praised for her 'sterling' work as was the outgoing treasurer John Hedley.