St Ives swimmer Ollie Fitt pulled off an impressive golden double in Norwich on Saturday – for the fifth year running.

At the first day of regional competition there – in the 50 metre pool – the St Ives Swimming Club member won the 100m and 200m backstroke golds, a feat he had also managed in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and a 10, 11, 12 and 13-year-old.

His club coach, Andy Hunter, said: “It is a feat unrivalled in the East Region competition and it also qualifies Ollie for the British National Swimming Championships in August at Sheffield for the 15 and 16-year age groups in both events.

“This is an excellent achievement by the talented youngster and St Ives are now eighth in the regional medal table.

“This is all the more exceptional, as we are competing against the regions big clubs like Norwich, Hatfield, Ipswich, Cambridge and Peterborough.

Of particular note was Fitt’s 100m backstroke time of 1min 1.39sec which in a 50 metre pool converts to 59.45sec for a 25 metre pool.

Dannielle Rayner, Jess Rayner and Fran Crocker added to the growing list of St Ives National swimmers by qualifying for numerous events at the Welsh National Championships in August, while recent weeks have also seen some further success with a variety of medals won at regional competitions.

St Ives swimmers won 45 medals at the Fenland Open in Whittlesey at which Dannielle Rayner was named top girl in her age-group with Cathy Thomson in second and Amy Chalmers in third. Fran Crocker and Fitt won the top 15-year-old awards with Brandon McDonald taking second place in the 13-year age group.

Sam Taylor won the Open 100m freestyle race by three seconds in a time of 55sec.