Barnet Copthall Swimming Club will be sending more than 20 swimmers to the prestigious National Championships in Sheffield at the end of July.

The successful swimmers have been competing all season to try to obtain the required qualifying times.

Over the last two weekends, club members have been in action at the London Regional Swimming Championships, where they put in some excellent performances, resulting in an overall medal haul of 28 golds, 21 silvers and 20 bronzes.

In addition, 33 other swims proved good enough to make finals.

After the completion of the intense competition, Barnet Copthall can now boast three overall London champions.

George Kapanadze and Erin Nabney were the top 10-year-old boy and girl, while Maddie Tichbourne was the top 12-year-old girl.

Emily Bell finished second in the 10-year-old section, while Megan Boldison and Georgia Jackson-Virk were second and third respectively in the 13-year-old category.

Not to be outdone by the younger swimmers, the club's Masters put in fine performances at the British Swimming Masters Championship in Manchester.

John Rittenhouse won the 200m backstroke in the 50-54 age group in a new European and British record, and followed this up with another gold in the 100m backstroke in a new British record time.

Club chairman Mark Reynolds took gold in the 100m freestyle in the 45-49 age group in a new British record time and then also came home first in the 200m freestyle.

Other gold medal winners, of which there were 20, included Georgie Hamilton, Christine Porter and Joe Twyman.

Meanwhile, the complete Barnet Copthall squad will be taking part in a sponsored swim, beginning at the end of this month.

They will be swimming the equivalent distance of Land's End to John O' Groats to raise money for additional training camps for all their swimmers next season.

The swim will end on Sunday, July 6 at Barnet Copthall's last home gala of the season - the Summer Sprints Meet.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor a swimmer can do so by contacting Lynn Fernandes on 020 8449 1931.

For further details on joining Barnet Copthall Swimming Club, please go to www.barnetcopthall.com