TIVERTON Swimming Club claimed fourth place in the Exeter Imps Gala at the weekend.

The members of the 24-strong Tiverton team achieved 25 personal best times between them and took home eight race victories.

Twelve-year-old Jade Clarke took first place in the 200m individual medley with a personal best time of 2.56.40 and also won the 50m freestyle in 33.82s.

The other race winners Jake Stoneman, nine, in the 50m breaststroke, Emily Abraham, nine, in the 50m butterfly, Josh Gunn, 11, in the 50m butterfly, Jamie Price, 11, in the 50m backstroke and Lucy Abraham, 12, in the 50m breaststroke.

Emily Abraham's success came just a week after she broke the Devon record in her age group for the 100m individual medley with a time of 1.27.43 in the second round of the county championships.

Also in the Exeter gala at the weekend, seven-year-old Finn Stoneman knocked 9.26s off his personal best time in the 50m backstroke.

Tiegan Sime, eight, knocked 9.64s off her PB in the 50m backstroke, while Sophie Whittle, ten, took second place in the 50m butterfly with a new PB of 43.37s.

Ten-year-old Libby Morton took 8.71s off her PB in the 100m individual medley.

It was also an exciting time for Tiverton's five new competitors — Rachael Gunn, Charlotte Prentis, Charlotte Revolta, Lauren Aitchison and Lucy Clist.

Ten-year-old Aitchison took third place in both the 10 years and 11 years 50m breaststroke in her first competitive gala. Revolta was third place in the nine years and under 50m breaststroke.

Sixteen of the Tiverton team swam a strong final race in the 400m freestyle cannon, just missing out on first place.

Tiverton head coach Steve Carder said: "It was a great result for the team and it was good to see some of our younger swimmers competing for the first time.

"The 25 personal best times are a testament to the squad's hard work and commitment."