Don Leatherbarrow, who is 80 years old and from Ross-on-Wye, swam a final long course (50 metres) gala of year last weekend, managing to break another British record.

Don told the Ross Gazette: “It was the last 50 metre of year, at Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre, the home of Rushmoor Royals Masters S.C. I really wanted to get this one, it was third time lucky. I’ve now got the long and short course for it.”

The previous record in this 50m freestyle had stood for 10 years, since 2008. The record was 35.16 seconds, and Don managed to swim 35.05 seconds, shaving .11 of a second off it.

Don said:?“I’ve had a very good year so far, setting eight long course and six short course records, as well as a European relay record with my club mates at Gloucester Masters.”See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here