Horwich Leisure Centre Swimming Club will break new ground on Sunday when they represent the North West of England in the National Speedo League Finals at Sheffield's Ponds Forge international pool.

Thirty swimmers from the club, aged 10 up to 23 years old, will compete as one of the 16 top teams, who have made it through from the regional Premier Division finals.

It is the first time in the club's history - it was formed in 1975 - that the club has reached such heights in the country's top club competition when they will be competing against the very best swimmers and squads.

With that in mind, no one is expecting Horwich to come away with any of the major honours, but local officials are hoping that the vast experience gained from such a prestige event will enhance the position of the club, giving them the kind of reputation and respect that goes with becoming the top swimming club in the North West.

Tony McGrail has led the team of coaches that has supervised Horwich's preparation but few members of the team have experienced such a high profile event.

Except, that is, Anthony Howard, who despite having swam at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, will be competing in the national finals for the first time.

"I'm excited and looking forward to it," he said. "Although we are not expected to be one of the leading teams, the experience our swimmers will take from it should stand them in good stead."

The club will compete at under 11, under 13, under 15 and open events and for the past few weeks, Tony McGrail and his fellow coaches have put them through a rigorous training routine.

Part of their preparation came from winning two separate local galas , a perfect morale booster for this weekend. morale boost.

Their senior squad, ranging in age from13 upwards, competed against teams from Trafford, Altrincham and Stalybridge and won by an impressive margin, winning 22 from the 25 events and comingsecond in the remaining three.

Meanwhile, the junior squad of 30 swimmers from 9 to 12 years old, including several children in their

first competitive gala, swam an away fixture on the same day against Ashton, Darwen and Warrington clubs. They managed to win 24 of the 30 races, coming second in a further four races and confirming their position at the top of their group in the Bolton & District League with a winning score of 111 points compared with second place Darwen on 70 points.

"We were very pleased with the performance of both teams but the junior squad had a particularly fine win with all the swimmers giving everything they had," said a club spokesman.

"Horwich has an excellent reputation locally and it is good to see we have young swimmers. who will keep us at the top for years to come."