BOLTON'S Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Anthony Howard has gone solo.

The 22-year-old has parted company with Bolton Metro Swim Squad and his coach of 12 years Dave Evitts, just three months before the trials are held for the Manchester Games.

"I am training on my own and I am quiet self sufficient," said Howard, who is having to combine holding down a full-time job with an intensive training regime.

"It is a pity we have had to part after being together for 12 years but it was purely on a coaching basis.

"He wanted me to do a set number of sessions but there was no way I could work and do that. After such a long time and a good partnership you don't want it to happen like that but you have just got to take it in your stride.

"In some respects I am quite happy because I get to do everything I want to do. I had a tester last week and I was very pleased with the way things are going and the time I did was a good confidence booster for me. I am looking forward now as it was a good bench mark on which to base the rest of my training.

"There is no way I would be doing what I am doing if I did not think I could do it. Now I am on my own it is particularly hard work to keep motivated and train hard but there is no way I would put myself through it if I didn't think I could do it."

Evitts, the Bolton Metro Swim Squad coach said: "It is unfortunate that Anthony couldn't do all the work on the programme, but I wish him all the best. I hope he makes it to the Games. Nobody wants him to get there more than me. We had 12 years together and some fantastic times when we went to the Commonwealth and Olympic Games."

Howard is now representing Horwich Swimming Club, who have helped him financially.

"They have held a fund raiser for me and I am very grateful to them."

Howard, whose lack of funding was highlighted by the BEN last November, is hoping the Provincial Insurance Company Trust will give him a helping hand.

"They are showing an interest and hopefully will help me in a financial way," added Howard, who lives in Egerton.

Howard, who swam in the GB 4x100m freestyle relay team that finished ninth in the Sydney Olympics, is focussing on the Commonwealth Games trials in April at Sheffield, when he will be trying to qualify in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle events.

He will be joined by BMSS member Rob Greenwood who has a realistic chance of qualifying for the 100m and 200m butterfly events and a number of young swimmers who will be taken to gain experience. These will include promising teenagers Lucy Finn, aged 14, of Canon Slade High School, who swims the 400m and 800m freestyle events and Ben Johnson, aged 16, of Smithills College, who competes in the 100m and 200m butterfly.