Southampton Diving Academy members helped the south coast Division 12 team to third place in the finals of the English Schools Championships at Tonbridge Wells.

Seven of the eight-strong team train at the Quays and had all qualified at the preliminary round earlier this term by winning their age group event.

Gary Hunt, competing in the senior competition, won silver, and there was a second place finish too for Ciaran O'Reilly in the junior boys section.

Intermediate diver Patrick O'Reilly just missed out on the medals with fourth place, and at the same level, Anna Bennett-Britton placed fifth in the girls' competition.

Senior Rebecca Sherry placed fifth as well, while at primary level, Adam Purkis and Emily Alderman each finished sixth. Competition was so tight that Alderman was just six points behind the silver medallist.

"They all had to work very hard to achieve such excellent results," said a delighted Chris Jenkins, one of the coaches at the event. "The standard at the competition was very high."