TWO young Crewe Flyers have helped their county win the Cheshire gala crown with some impressive swims.

Hosts Cheshire won the inter-counties event by more than 50 points and were leading from the start of the competition with several first, second and third places.

Haslington's Austin Barton won the individual 100m breaststroke gaining a personal-best time (1.18.49). The 13-year-old was also in a winning relay team.

Elliot Bloor, 12, of Crewe, who normally specialises in fly and freestyle, swam the 100m breaststroke in sixth and he also took part in a relay team which finished first.

Flyers' secretary Esther Bradbury said: 'We are all very proud of Elliot and Austin. They have both done extremely well to get in the squad in the first place, let alone contribute to the winning team.'

The youngsters were the only two Crewe Flyers to reach the Cheshire team which consisted of more than 30 swimmers. n The Flyers have said good-bye to long-serving coaches Steve and Irene Milhench with a surprise farewell party at Crewe pool in Flag Lane.

The room was packed with swimmers and parents from past and present, all wishing to thank Steve and Irene for their hard work and dedication to the club over the past 15 years.

Generous donations were given by parents and swim-mers to show their appreciation and the couple were presented with a bench and umbrella and a memories book containing photographs of swimmers throughout their years as coaches.

The club has appointed Ian Spencer as the new head coach.