BOLTON Metro swimmer Ben Johnson picked up the first gold medal of what could be a trophy-laden career.

Johnson entered the Kellog's Frosties National Age Group Championships and came away clutching a medal after storming to a time of 2.11.89 in the Under 15's 200m butterfly event.

The talented swimmer was a full second ahead of second-placed Daniel Green and could be chosen to join the Kellog's Frosties World Class programme. This intiative identifies and nurtures talented athletes and helps put them on the road to a possible Olympic gold medal.

Joining Johnson at the event were 17 other Bolton Metro swimmers, and all of them gave a good account of themselves, some even recording personal best's.

Brian Halstead (12 year old Boys 100m butterfly), Nicole Whitehead (13 year old girls 100m freestyle), Karl Holland (14 year old boys 200m breaststroke), Kate Docton (15 year old girls 100m and 200m butterfly) and Andrew Riley (16 year old boys 200m butterfly) all reached finals in their individual events along with Johnson who, in particular, produced a race from the top drawer in an unfamiliar 50m pool.

The finalists can now claim to be in the top eight swimmers in the country for their respective event and that is a statistic that BMSS are proud of.

In the heat declared winner events, Lucy Finn finished 6th in the 13 year old 400m freestyle whilst Brian Halstead produced a 12-second PB to finish ninth in the 12 year old 400m freestyle.

This year has been BMSS most prosperous by far, in terms of success, and the club is hoping their medal count can be increased next season. Only time will tell...