SWIMMING: HALTON Swimming Club's girls were in record-breaking mood on the final weekend of individual racing at the Cheshire Championships.

Twelve-year-old Robin Bright set the marker with an age-group event record for 50m backstroke with a great 35.8 heat - only to watch team-mate Louise Wallbank promptly better it with 34.2.

In the final, Louise took gold and Robin was just behind for silver.

Lucy Myler, in the 13 years' 50m back-stroke final, produced another worthy event record for gold in 33.1.

After setting a new PB in the heats, Sarah Louise Banner, 14, showed terrific speed for second in her backstroke final.

Stephanie Mahoney, 16, also smashed her PB in winning the 16 years' and overall junior 50m backstroke titles in 31.8.

Robin Bright won her first championship medal, finishing third in the 12-years 50m freestyle with Louise Wallbank fifth.

The 13-years event saw Lucy Myler surface just in front of Stockport's Helen Cutler but lose the edge at the turn. However, the former's determination saw her win in a great time of 28.96 from Cutler's 28.98.

Katie Holmes finished fourth, breaking 30 seconds for the second time in the day with 29.8. Sally Noble was sixth in 30.8.

Sarah-Louise Banner secured another silver medal in the 14-years age group with a PB 29.0.

In the 16-years event, Stephanie Mahoney comfortably won silver with Paula Matthews seventh.

The 100m butterfly saw Lucy Myler pick up her third gold of the day with a strong 1:09.5 swim at 13 years.

Stephanie Mahoney hung on for second in a tough butterfly final while Charlotte Joseph was sixth at 15 years.

As for the boys, improving 13-year-old William Warburton struck 100m breast-stroke silver. In the 14-years group, Craig Garner had the courage to force the pace from lane one and stayed on for bronze (1:16.6). John Navis (15yrs) was fifth.

The 50m backstroke saw William and Craig joined by Shaun Whitfield, 15. They were fourth, eighth and seventh.

The next day at Birkenhead was always going to be difficult in the distance events, but Stephanie Mahoney won 400m free-style gold.

William Warburton, continuing breast-stroke battles with Michael Duncan of Hoylake, again had to settle for silver. John Navis snatched an unexpected bronze at 200m breaststroke.

Charlotte Joseph took bronze for a gutsy 200m butterfly. On April 10, Halton SC hold their Merseyside League gala at Kingsway, Widnes.

All events are being sponsored to raise funds for the club and Barnado's.

Minimum sponsorship is £20. Any companies who would like to sponsor an event can contact Colin Hunt, tel 420 2901.