A YOUNG swimmer from Okehampton continues to make a splash as he has recently added a number gold medals from regional competitions to his ever-growing collection.

Elliot Svensson, aged nine, swam at the Devon Springs Gala in Plymouth on March 24. The event consisted of four 50 metre races in all four swimming strokes. Racing against 26 other boys his age, Elliot managed to win the overall prize after the four events.

He also swam at the Three Towers swimming event at Millfield School in Somerset. The event invites swimmers from all over the West Country and Wales. Entering seven events - all four strokes at 50 metres, and three events at the 200 metre distance, Elliot won six golds and a silver medal.

The impressive haul is added to nearly 50 other race medals won since last May. Elliot swims with Exeter City Swimming Club and Okehampton Otters, and recently broke eleven records for 9 year olds at the Otters' club championships.

Arguably his biggest achievement since last May was winning a bronze medal in the boys aged nine and ten category at his first Level 1 meet at the Cardiff International Pool, producing a personal best time of 40.31 in the 50 metre butterfly.

This time has put him at the top of the rankings in his age group for this distance in the West of England and in the top eleven nationally.

He also won gold at the Devon Championships on February 16, in the 200 metre breaststroke.