TOM BOOTH gave karate the chop -- and it's paid off brilliantly in the pool.

The 10-year-old from Ramsbottom has been consistently logging national swimming times and according to his coach could eventually be in the swim for Great Britain.

Proud dad Steve reckons Tom's karate hobby helped give him additional discipline and co-ordination which are needed now he's making a name for himself with the local Ramsbottom Rascals Swimming Club.

Greenmount Primary School pupil Tom - his whopping size seven feet help him zip through the water - has been dubbed "Tompedo" because of a previous Bury Times headline that likened him to the Aussie Olympic swimming ace Ian Thorpe.

Steve said: "Tom's only just 10, yet is 5 foot 3 inches tall and takes after his mum who is over 6 foot tall.

He likes basketball but swimming is by far his favourite hobby with James Hickman, who has given him his autograph, Tom's hero.

"He enjoyed karate but had to give that up to concentrate on swimming.

"He greatly admires the dedication of Ramsbottom's club captain Matt Wood. At school everyone is supportive, even changing his homework timetable if he's got a big gala."

Tom added to his honours at the weekend, picking up his 30th gold medal - the ultra-competititive youngster doesn't count silver or bronze awards reckoning they represent failure! He was competing in one of the UK's most keenly contested galas, the Radford Open at Sheffield. Although it was Tom's first time in an Olympic standard 50m pool he wasn't fazed, picking up two golds and two fourth places.

Rascals coach Rick Wesolowski told the Bury Times: "Tom is probably our best prospect since Matt.

"His times continue to improve and indeed did so again with a personal best at Sheffield. I have no doubt he could one day swim for England but much will depend on his attitude and willingness to learn and listen."

Also in good form at Sheffield was Wood and Ben Mallen who also picked up medals.

Wesolowski said: "We had 14 of our top swimmers at Sheffield with the marjority recording personal best times.

"It was a great experience competing in the best and probably fastest pool in Europe.

"One young swimmer who I was impressed with was a new member who joined us from Trafford, Emma McKenna, who had a busy weekend and was unlucky not to be among the medals."

Ramsbottom triumphed against derby rivals Bury & Elton at Castle Leisure Centre on Monday, winning a junior league fixture 60-48.

Team manager Alan Carruthers told the Bury Times last night: "We started slowly but our excellent team spirit showed us through. Everyone was focused with our older, more experienced swimmers leading by example."