Last weekend, local swimmer Don Leatherbarrow, from Ross-on-Wye, competed at K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley.

Out of the eight events Don entered, he won gold in every one, and broke 5 British masters records, one of which, (the 50 metres fly) had stood since 1998. Don was six seconds faster.

He also swam the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 freestyle (front crawl), 50 breastroke, 50 fly, and 200 individual medley.

The K2 is a long course, championship pool, 50 metres long. Don told the Ross Gazette: “When you train in a 25 metre pool such as Ross, known as a short course, it is very hard to judge the racing pace you need to be on for each race.

“Nevertheless I was fortunate to be in good health and swam really well in most of the eight races I entered over the two days, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st.”

Don, who is now 80 years of age, is now in the next age group for British Swimming Masters events. He said: “I was like the new kid on the block for 80 to 85 year olds.”

Don said: “Some of these British records will not last too long. There are some great guys coming up over the next few years, and standards in all age groups are now quite amazing, but it’s still very satisfying to have got this far, early in my new career.”

Don trains at Ross Swimming Pool, where he joins up with a number of good friends he has made there. He added: “I love going to the pool, the staff have always been very kind and helpful to me and all of my friends there. It’s a splendid facility and a credit to Ross - with the gym and all the various activities on offer too.”

“Now it’s on with the hard training for the rest of the year; 8am in the pool, then home for breakfast and a doze in the chair for 20 minutes. Well, I need it at my age!”