Cardinal Langley student celebrates Silver

Silver medalist Keri-Anne Payne.

Former Cardinal Langley pupil Keri-Anne Payne is one of the latest Britons to earn a medal in the Beijing Olympics.

The 20-year old Heywood resident won Silver in the 10Km open water swim and she has been praised by one of her former teachers as the school celebrated Keri-Anne's victory alongside their own success on GCSE results.

Deputy Head Howard Meredith told Rochdale Online: "Keri-Anne studied for A Levels in our Sixth Form for the last two years, managing to combine her hard academic work with daily early morning training sessions.

"All that hard work has now paid off and we're as delighted as Keri-Anne that one of our former pupils has achieved an Olympic medal.

"It's yet another success story for Middleton and it's a great way to mark successful GCSE and A Level results for us."

Joining the praise for Keri-Ann was Heywood Township chairman Councillor Alan McCarthy, who said: "The whole of Heywood Township is absolutely delighted that one of our local young people has excelled at the Beijing Olympics. Well done Keri-Anne!

Councillor McCarthy now hopes that Keri-Ann will become an ambassador for swimming in Heywood and provide the inspiration for more youngtsers to become future Olympians.

On Sunday the Council will launch the Talented Athlete Support Scheme at the Town Hall , providing free membership to Contours Gyms and Pools for young athletes aspiring for the 2012 Olympics, plus £1000 per year towards training costs through to the London Olympics.

Councillor McCarthy said: "The Township would welcome Keri-Anne into this programme and in recognition of her achievements and ambitions for the 2012 Olympics would be proud to provide additional sponsorship, with Keri-Anne as an ambassador for swimming in Heywood.

"The Township are inviting Keri-Anne to the Township Committee on 8 September to recognise her achievements and if she is happy to do so announce the Township Sponsorship plans to promote swimming in Heywood with sponsorship for Keri-Anne."