PIONEER 79 Swimming Club have been among the medals once again – this time scooping 44 of them at the Lancashire Age Group Championships.

Held at Liverpool Aquatic Centre over two weekends, Pioneer won 12 golds, 14 silvers and 18 bronze.

The club, that trains in Accrington and Blackburn, also achieved 39 regional qualifying times and one national qualifying time.

And a successful competition was rounded off as Pioneer had four swimmers placed in the top three of the age group rankings.

Natasha Rogan was first in the girls under 10s after winning four golds, two silver and a bronze medal as well achieving one RQT.

Ben Makin was second overall in the boys under nines after his two silvers and a bronze.

There was a third place for Connor Roberts in the under 10s boys thanks to his gold, silver and two bronze medals.

And despite winning three golds, five silvers, two bronze medals and nine RQTs, Niamh Robinson had to settle for third place overall in a very strong under 12s girls age group.

Young Thomas Baynes also impressed in the pool in the boys under nines section after a personal medal haul of five including three golds, a silver and a bronze. There were 25 swimmers in total who took part: Results - Under Nines Girls: Izabel Forrest (1 Bronze), Ana Bradbury, Charlotte Cootes Under Nines Boys: Thomas Baynes (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze), Benjamin Makin (2S, 1B), Jacob Waddington Under 10s Girls: Natasha Rogan (4G, 2S, 1B, 1 Regional Qualifying Time) Abigail Murray, Martha Smith (1B) Under 10s Boys: Connor Roberts (1G, 1S, 3B) Under 11s Girls: Ellie Perris, Olivia Nicholls (1B, 1RQT) Under 11s Boys: Ewan McKavett (1S, 1B, 2RQT) Under 12s Girls: Niamh Robinson (3G, 5S, 2B, 9RQT, 1 National Qualifying Time), Meghann Leaver (2RQT), Alice Harding Under 12s Boys: Declan Charnock (3RQT), Joseph Murray (1S, 2B, 2RQT) Under 13s Boys: James Harding (1B, 1RQT) Under 15s Boys: Thomas Gilroy (1S, 1B, 2RQT), John McKavett (1G, 2B, 3RQT), Connor Makin (1RQT), Albert Hadcock Over 16 Girls: Charlotte Britland (4RQT) Over 16 Boys: Richard Eccles (6RQT) n The club also took part in the North Lancashire Championships at Palatine Swimming Pool, Blackpool where James Harding won a bronze medal in the 1500m in a personal best time of 18 minutes 21.53 secs. Holly McHugh, Ellie Perris, Olivia Nicholls, Niamh Robinson, Alice Harding and Declan Charnock all achieved pbs.