The Essex open and age group championships saw Borough of Southend star member Nathalie Brown win the Junior and Senior trophy for the fourth time.

The event, held at Fullwell Cross Pool, Barkingside, had the senior swimmers in an intensive training routine.

This involved swimming 70,000-110000 metres a week. This proved rewarding as Nathalie, Elizabeth McKinnon and Louise Gowens came first, third and fourth in the ladies 1500 metres championship. They also had the 4x100 medley bronze medal to add to their list.

The younger girls also showed promise as Susannah Carrol, in the 11 years 200 metres freestyle, took 15 seconds off her entry time to record a best time of 2 mins. 20 secs in the heat.

Susannah went on to win her first Essex bronze medal, which bodes well for the future as she has the talent to make several national standards this coming year.

Bronze was also won by 11 year old Adam Hickey in the boys final of the 200 metres freestyle in a time of 2 mins. 23 secs.

Unfortunately, the Borough of Southend slipped to second place in the senior and junior top club award due to the loss of points in the men's relay teams. However, there was great effort from all swimmers involved.

Meanwhile, Rochford Swimming Club members faced a 7am start to their day when they competed at the White Oak open at Gillingham, Kent.

Gemma Pool pulled off their only win in the girls' 13-14 years 100m backstroke. Gemma, achieving a personal best in the heats, took pole position in the final.

From a slow start she inched her way into the lead by the end of the first length and remained in front for the rest of the race.

She eventually just touched out her rivals by two tenths of a second and improved her heat time by another 0.4 of a second.

In addition, Megan Williams was third in the 10 years girls 50m backstroke, while Chris Ridley was second in the boys 11-12 100m backstroke.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.