Barnet Copthall Swimming Club scooped ten gold medals at the National Masters and Age Group Championships in Sheffield.

Sixteen swimmers took part in the event, ranging in age from 23 to 71, winning a total of 18 medals, including ten gold, one silver and seven bronze.

Leading the way for Copthall was Mark Reynolds, 51, with four golds and a bronze in the 50 to 54-year-old category including golds in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle as well as in the 200m individual medley in which he came close to smashing the British record.

There were also three golds, a silver and two bronzes for 71-year-old Georgie Hamilton in the 70 to 74-year-old category, two golds and two bronzes for 69-year-old Elaine Blower and one gold and one bronze for 68-year-old Judy Alden, both in the 65 to 69-year-old category.

Coach Ian Woollard said: “There were some great swims with many of the swimmers achieving lifetime bests. As well as stand out medal winning performances, what was encouraging was that so many of the younger swimmers produced massive improvements in their times.”