Youngsters from Mid Beds Swim Squad continued their outstanding form at the National Youth Championships.

Eight swimmers qualified during the 2007-08 season for the biggest meet of the year.

Yasmin Bithrey and Adam Ingledew set the standard as they both qualified in personal bests for the 100m freestyle semi-finals.

Ingledew recorded a Bedfordshire ASA Senior record in the semi-final, as well as an ASA East Region junior record, but it wasn't enough to take him through to the final.

His time of 53.65mins was 0.02 of a second outside the qualifying time for the European Youth Olympics next year, but he will have to record this in the British Championships in April and finish in the top two swimmers in his age to get there.

Bithrey furthered her potential in the semi-final, but narrowly missed out on a place in the finale by 0.3 of a second.

Harriet Brettle had some solid swims in the range of freestyle events, while Alice Marchant was just outside her best in the 1,500m freestyle as she was struck by nerves at her first championship.

Sam Bradley, who competes in the disability group seven, made three finals and set personal bests in the process.

Chris Bradbury starred in the 50m freestyle, taking a massive 0.5secs off his best as he narrowly missed out on the semi-finals. Rachel Hollington battled well in the 100m backstroke on the last day of the championships, but nerves got the better of her in her race.

Aydin Berki, meanwhile, topped the championships off by collecting a bronze in the 3,000m endurance freestyle event at his first national championships.

Coach Vix Metcalf said: "They have really risen to the challenge of the nationals.

"There was a lot to live up to, after the results from the national age group championships, but they have worked hard all season and have been rewarded by the results posted.