More swimming success for Rochdale

Photo: Jan Harwood

Rochdale Mayor Councillor Keith Swift and Mayoress Sue Etchells with Jamie Kelly and Aquabears coach David Crouch.

Aside from Keri-Payne and her World Championship gold medal, another local swimmer was showing off his accolades at the Heywood athlete's civic reception.

Jamie Kelly, who lives in Newbold and trains with Aquabears, met Keri-Anne wearing his gold and silver medal that he won at the Special Olympics in Leicester earlier this year.

Kelly, 20, won gold in the 200m freestyle event and picked up silver in the individual medley.

"It felt really good to win. I was really proud that all of my hard work paid off; it made all the early morning and late night training sessions more than worth it."

The young athlete has been competing for the last four years and trains with Aquabears seven days a week. He is now preparing for an international event in New Zealand next year.