HAMPSHIRE children from 26 schools showed off their speedy swimming at the 16th annual Primary Schools Swimming Gala.

More than 300 children descended on the River Park Leisure Centre in Winchester for the morning of races organised by Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club, as well as a demonstration swim by senior club members.

Sue Falconer, CEO of Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club, said: “It’s wonderful to have so many schools competing and to give children the chance to be competitive.

“We want the children to enjoy swimming and to potentially continue for their health and wellbeing.”

She added that the club was very enthusiastic about the plans to replace the ageing River Park Leisure Centre with a new multi-million pound centre at Garrison Ground at Bar End.

“It will be great to get an accessible 50m pool for the community,” she said.

As well as receiving certificates, the competitors received goody bags from the sponsors. These included Dancor Group, Hendy Ford, University of Winchester, Round Table, St Frances Dental Practice, Winchester Connected and Christ’s Hospital.

The competing schools were: All Saints, Bishop’s Waltham, Colden Common, Harestock, John Keble, Kings Worthy, Micheldever, Oliver’s Battery, Otterbourne, Owslebury, Princes Mead, Scantabout, Sherborne House, South Wonston, Sparsholt, St Bede, St Faith’s, St Peter’s, St Swithun’s, Stanmore, Sunhill, Twyford St Mary’s, Twyford School, Weeke, Western and Winnall.

Bishop’s Waltham won the boys’ freestyle relay and St Swithun’s won the girls’ event.

In the 25m finals, Jack Francis was in first place for St Bede and Catherine Tarmey won the girls’ event, also for St Bede.

John Keble took first place in the invitation relay final, and Twyford St Mary won the girls’ relay.