City of St Albans Swimming Club are rejoicing after one of their best ever overall performances.

They will send a total of 48 swimmers to the Swim England East Region Championships, the highest number of competitors the club have ever had qualify for the annual championship.

It is also the largest entry from any Hertfordshire swimming club, as well as one of the top five across the entire region.

CoStA's head coach, Mike Cole, said: "It’s so exciting when we see so many swimmers’ hard work pay off at competition level.

"It is a huge achievement to qualify to compete with the best swimmers in the East region and our team have really put St Albans on the map as one of the best competitive clubs in the area."

And the medals have already come in from the first weekend of competition.

Among those on the podium were Georgina Hamilton and Charlotte Stewart who both picked up golds, Hamilton in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and Stewart in the 800m freestyle.

Brad Lau grabbed a silver in the 800m free while there were two bronzes for Luke Burnard in the 50m and 100m freestyle.

The competition continues over the first two weekends in May in Norwich.

The club has 250 swimmers training at pools around St Albans all year round and regularly competes in competitions across the country.

But they are always open for more and anyone who has children in Years 2 and 3 who love to swim can come for a free trail.

For details and more information, email trials@costaasc.org