Nineteen Primary schools from Winchester and the surrounding area swam their hearts out at the fifth Brooks Shopping Centre sponsored Primary Schools Gala.

With 275 children and a full gallery of supporters the event was both exciting and noisy. In their first visit to the gala Pilgrims' School boys started with a bang taking the freestyle relay in a record breaking time. Previous record holders Ridgemede came in a close second. Ridgemede were also the bridesmaids in the girls mixed stroke relay which was won by a strong team from Charlton House.

In the small schools' competition village schools Curdridge, Upham and Wherwell could not match the well drilled St Swithun's squad fresh from their success at the independent schools championships. St Swithun's girls won both the freestyle and medley events.

The top swim of the morning, however, came from Hiltingbury's girls in the freestyle relay where they knocked over 3 seconds off the previous fastest time. The Twyford Prep girls came in second also beating their old record with Prince's Mead and South Wonston also swimming well.

With the relays mainly filled with year 5 and 6 children the individual year 4 sprint event gave everyone a good look at the emerging swimming talent.

Penguins' junior club coach Allan Whelan commented: "We have seen today that there is no shortage of youngsters with the potential to be good county standard or higher swimmers with the right coaching and training."

The final relay was a handicap event designed to set up a blanket finish. The girls of St Swithun's topped a great day's swimming to win by a finger tip from Hiltingbury and Pilgrims'.

Charles Hilling from Pilgrims' took the boys silver salver for his final swim of 18.22. He was followed in by William Barlow also Pilgrims' and in third place Edward Jeffreys, swimming for Hiltingbury.

It was Oliver's Battery pupil Helen Stride who stepped up to receive her silver salver. Oriana Halford-Guerra (Nethercliffe) collected a second place rosette and Sarah Anderson (St Bede) was third.