MEMBERS of Bolton Metro Swimming Squad have been vying for places at the British and English Summer Championships.

To be invited to the events, swimmers must be within the top ranked 24 swimmers for their age group in the whole of Britain, or the next quickest 20 English swimmers after that.

The British nationals take place in Glasgow from July 23 to 28 with the English event taking place a week later in Sheffield.

Bolton Metro have had a good year at county and regional level, meaning plenty of their swimmers have qualified to test themselves against the best.

BMSS stalwart Anna Doughty is bringing her swimming career to an end this season after nearly a decade in the sport and has qualified for both the British and English nationals.

Gabe Taylor-Rimmer will also be heading to Glasgow for the boys 15 years 200m backstroke.

“A huge thank you from myself to Anna for all her years of service to the club and the amazing influence she has been to the swimmers that are now in the squad,” said head coach Ric Howard.

“I would like to wish her all the very best of luck in her new career and job in London.”

The club will be well represented in Sheffield after a fine qualifying year saw swimmers seal their spots at the coveted event.

Those in action at the English nationals include swimmers who made the finals the previous year such as Georgia Ashton, Luke Batty and Adam Akik, those heading there for the first time including Frankie Cullen and Maisie Leuchars, newcomers into the squad such as Georgiana Bot and younger swimmers who have made the nationals at the first time of asking such as Eleanor Kay and Lisa Barzaghi.

“All of these swimmers have done amazingly well to qualify and they all deserve it due to their hard work, dedication and brilliant attitiude towards the sport, the club and each other,” said Howard.

“They are an amazing group to train and all get on so well, making coaching them easier as the encouragement and great work ethic is shared amongst the group.

“I am sure they will go and do Bolton proud on a national stage and all of the club are very proud to recognise the achievements of these talented and hard-working young athletes.”

Full list of events the swimmers are competing in at the English nationals in Sheffield: Adam Akik – 17 years 50m butterfly; Luke Batty – MC 400m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 200 individual medley, 100m backstroke; Georgia Ashton – 15 years 50m, 100m, 200m backstroke; Maisie Luechars –14 years 200m butterfly; Frankie Cullen – 14 years 200m backstroke; Georgiana Bot – 14 years 50m backstroke; Eleanor Kay – 12/13 years 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m freestyle, 400m individual medley; Lisa Barzaghi - 12/13years 50m, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke.