TONY HUNTER flew the flag for Southampton Diving Academy as he took a hat-trick of gold medals at the Great Britain Diving Federation National Masters Championships.

Hunter was the top man in all of his three events, stylishly winning the 1metre, 2m and highboard disciplines.

There was further success for Southampton in the championships held at Waltham Forest. Ben Tower took silver in the 1m while Taz Hollingham also finished second in the 3m event.

In another competition held at the Alton Sports Centre, ten-year-old Adam Purkis was awarded the junior boys' Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Award 2001.

Purkis has worked extremely hard and reached a very high standard in competition despite only taking up the sport 18 months ago. A popular and committed diver, he has achieved a lot over the past year.

His successes have included a bronze at the Hampshire Championships, Plain Diving and Southampton invitational meet, plus silvers in the Age Group Platform, Hampshire Novice Championships and White Rose Invitational meet in Leeds.

The youngster also finished sixth at the English Schools finals in Tonbridge Wells. Adam's coach, Chris Jenkins, admitted she was "thrilled" with his success.

The Southampton Diving Academy has gained a grant from the Awards-for-All Lottery fund to provide taster sessions for schools in the Southampton area.

The grant will allow up to 800 children to receive a free half-hour lesson. The academy also hopes to fund training for coaches, judges and recorders.

Director of coaching Lindsey Fraser, delighted at the news, said: "I hope this will be an opportunity to give lots of local youngsters a chance to have a go and see what fun diving can be."

Any local schools or youth groups who would like to take part in the scheme should contact Fraser on: 023 80 720922.