PETER Jones has set his sights on winning medals at the World Masters Swimming Ch-ampionships.

The Clitheroe swimmer heads out to Sweden next month in the form of his life having won three gold medals at the recent British Masters.

The 40-year-old is also the current holder of three national records in the 40-44 age groups section.

“I am aiming for a top three finish,” said the former Ribblesdale High School pupil. “You have to set your sights on winning medals when you enter these events. I am going to Sweden with the eighth best times so that is something I am going to have to improve on.”

In the British Champions-hips in Glasgow, Jones beat former Olympic swimming Nick Gillingham on his way to glory.

He took gold in the 200m individual medley, beating Gillingham in to second place then set a new record on his way to victory in the 100m backstroke.

His third gold also came in the backstroke over the shorter 50m distance.

And Jones just missed out on a fourth gold in the most exciting final of the event, finishing just one hundreth of a second behind David Chaney in the 50m butterfly with Gillingham two hundreths of a second behind.

Jones followed by winning the 100m backstroke in the North West Counties Mas-ters in Blackpool in 59.94 seconds - the first time he has dipped under the illusive minute mark since returning to competitive swimming in 2004.

He now holds British records in the 100m back-stroke, on both the short and long course, and also the short course 100m IM.

Jones, who is a teacher at Clitheroe Dolphins Swimming Club, was once ranked number one in the world in the 50m backstroke as a 22-year-old before giving up the sport to raise a family.

“I had the chance to compete in all the top international events but I gave it all up for family reasons.

“So I suppose I am achieving everthing I should have done but 20 years later.”

Jones says Alan Moorhouse at Burnley Bobcats has been the biggest influence on his swimming.

“Alan is sadly no longer with us but he taught me everything and what I am achieving now is down to him.”

He also thanked Dean Sumner, a coach at Clitheroe Dolphins Swimming Club, and also with Clitheroe Masters coach Julie Watson.

He also does his land training at Hicks Health Club under the supervision of Chris Templeman.

Jones also thanked his employer Johnson Mathey who have sponsored him.