A BURY & Elton Swimming Club threesome became what is believed to be their club's first ever open water Northern Counties Champions when they made a clean sweep of the medals recently.

Lyndsey Tuckerman, Jo-anne Bennett and Gemma Hitchlock, in only their third open water event, completed the 2000 metre Salford Quays course in well under 32 minutes finishing first, second and third respectively.

The combined result also gave the girls the County Junior Ladies Championship.

Conditions for the race could hardly been worse with a strong breeze blowing across the quay making swimming difficult due to the choppy water conditions.

However, the girls continue to rise to each new challenge that this different type of swimming throws at them with all three showing great determination.

Their high fitness levels and will to win continue to compensate for a lack of experience.

It is hoped they will now attend the Northern Counties open water swim clinic later in the year with the hope of developing their raw talent prior to commencement of next year's open water season in May.