TIVERTON Swimming Club's preparations for the forthcoming Devon County Championships have been disrupted by the icy weather.

Training sessions have had to be cancelled in the past week as the club works towards the county event, which starts on February 7.

Tiverton senior squad member Charlie Beeson, 15, has achieved the qualifying times needed to enter six events at the championships — 100m and 200m individual medleys, 100m and 50m breaststroke, 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Sophie Whittle will be competing in the championships for the first time this year, with Jake Stoneman in his second year at this event. The two nine-year-olds will be competing as 10-year-olds as their birthdays fall just before March 7.

Sophie is in the 200m individual medley and the 200m butterfly.

Jake will also be competing in two events, 200m individual medleyand 200m breaststroke.

Tiveron head coach Steve Carder said: "The squad have worked hard to achieve the qualifying times needed to compete in the Devon County Championships.

"It is always challenging for the swimmers who need to achieve the times for the next age group. The have to due to their birthdays falling just before the date of the last championship competition. This year that is March 7.

Carder added: " It is disappointing that some training sessions have been affected by the weather but, with the continued dedication and commitment from the squad, we will soon be back on track."

For more information, visit www.tiverton-swimming.co.uk.