FIVE young swimmers from Helensburgh and Lomond qualified to take part in the Scottish Schools swimming championships in East Kilbride.

The quintet all made it through after a tough regional qualifying event, hosted by Helensburgh Swimming Pool, and featuring more than 150 swimmers from schools across Argyll and Bute.

The Scottish Schools Event is a prestigious competition bringing together all the best school aged swimmers from the whole of Scotland. There are a maximum of 12 spaces up for grabs for most events so to even qualify for the Finals is a huge achievement in itself.

Helensburgh and Lomond had five local swimmers invited to the finals which is fantastic for the swimmers involved, their coaches, clubs and of course proud parents.

Successful swimmers were:

Caitriona Stewart, Colgrain Primary School – 50m Breaststroke

Roisin Kavanagh, Rhu Primary School – 50m Backstroke

Kate Storey, Hermitage Academy – 100m Breaststroke

Carl Barrett, Hermitage Academy – 100m Butterfly

Kirsten Barrett, Hermitage Academy – 200m Backstroke RESERVE

Results and Times:

Roisin Kavanagh - 50m back stroke 12 years & under, heat time 38.55s

Caitriona Stewart - 50m breast stroke 12 years & under, heat time 39.61 - final time 39.41

Kate Storey - 100m breast stroke 17-19 years final, time 1.20.10

Carl Barrett – 100m Butterfly Boys 15-16 years final, time of 1:02.77

All swimmers swam well and Caitriona, after successfully winning her heat with a personal best of 39.61, went on to come second in the final, claiming the silver medal with a time of 39.41 - another great personal best.

Carl Barrett also swam a strong race and successfully secured a bronze medal in his race.

Congratulations to all the local competitors!