Ross Swimming Club coach, Trixie Pulsford has been rewarded for her years devoted to helping young swimmers develop their talents. She received an MBE in Her?Majesty the Queen's New Year honours list.

Trixie told The Ross Gazette:?"I was very surprised and delighted to get the honour. Swimming has always been my hobby and you don't take up a hobby for the rewards. I am only one of four people in the midlands who have received an honour for swimming.

"I feel a lot of children have benefited from training at Ross Swimming Club. It develops their confidence and discipline and that helps them in other aspects of their lives."

Trixie, a district nurse, midwife and health visitor, came to Ross in 1961 from Harrow, where she had competed in swimming events at county level. When her two children took up swimming, Trixie went back to teaching swimming and coaching. She joined Ross Swimming Club as a coach in 1978, two years after it was founded.

The Club has gone from strength to strength over the years and is recognised as a valuable sports asset to the town. Trixie has worked with all four of its presidents, Bernard Hackett, John Thomas, and Joyce Thomas MBE?DL, and now, Peter Hughes, who was appointed recently.

Trixie, whose grandson is now a swimmer with Club, added:?"I would like to see the Club moving forward in the future into better things. We will be working with a bigger club and have the services of a top coach."