VA SWIMMING team Gloucestershire competed and won in the regional heats of the largest swimming gala series in the country.

Held at Virgin Active Gloucester, Gloucestershire were proud winners of the Championship trophy and £500 to spend on Speedo kit.

Gloucester Virgin Active hosted regional heats of the nation’s biggest swimming gala for children aged 6-16.

The heats took place in 12 venues across the country, with over 2,000 kids taking part. Approximately 160 children took part in the Gloucestershire gala, with swimmers attend- ing from WSM/Bridgend, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Cwmbran/Glamorgan.

Top local performers of the weekend includ- ed L. Lavender (Gloucester) won the Girls 8yrs/50m Backstroke in 22.34.

N. Kherdaji (Gloucester) won the Boys 9yrs/50m Backstroke in 1.03.34.

N. Sharpe (Gloucester) won the Girls 6yrs/25m Backstroke in 38.75.

A final win was achieved by the Gloucester team in the Mixed Cannon Relay 25m Frontcrawl, who completed the race in a fan- tastic 6.17.97 minutes.

The free events have been supported by Speedo, the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) and swimming governing body the ASA.

Virgin Active founder and swimming enthusi- ast Sir Richard Branson commented: “Swimming is such a brilliant sport that can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels.

“I’m thrilled that so many of our younger members have been so inspired to compete in this summer’s Swim Gala Series at Virgin Active.

“They really are making waves across the country!” Glen Heidke, European Head of Junior Programming at Virgin Active, added: “The Swim Gala Series is back and bigger than ever in 2016. It’s exciting to see so many children getting involved in the competition.”