YELVERTON swimmer Jan Langton returned from the recent Cerebral Palsy National Swimming Championships with a new clutch of medals.

Jan, 14, came away from Nottingham national champion in the 100m freestyle and took the bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke.

She also won two 'records of achievement' — awarded to winners in events where there are fewer than five swimmers — in the 100m backstroke and the 200m medley, the first time she had competed in this event. Jan also won the 50m butterfly.

Her mother, Helen, said: 'We are hoping these performances will enable her to qualify for the World Cerebral Palsy Games in Nottingham at the end of July. We will know later this month.'

Jan is also still aiming for the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.

Mrs Langton said there was a growing movement to bring disabled athletes under the same umbrella as able-bodied sportsmen and women and Jan was now training at Tavistock Swimming Club alongside her able-bodied colleagues, as well as continuing under her regular coach Wendy Pullyblank.

'Swimming alongside able-bodied swimmers does make her work extremely hard.

'We hope being in the club will be the encouragement she needs. It's going to be very good for her,' she said.