THREE young Hereford Swimmers have been selected for the 2014/2015 England Talent Programme.

Harriet Aldous-Fountain, James Bilbao and Nathan Wallace all took part in a national skills development Day at Wrekin College in Shropshire along with more than 30 outstanding 12-14 year olds.

The programme is the first rung on the ladder towards international selection, with the camp focused on athletes who have the potential to go to the 2020 and 2024 Olympic games.

“We have one of the strongest age group programmes in the UK at present, and are currently one of only 38 clubs in England that is recognised at this level," said head coach Alex Dallimore.

"It’s a great credit to these three young athletes, and the rest of our swimmers that they train with day to day, that Hereford can compete with the big clubs.”

TEN-year-old Josh Gough led the Hereford medal haul when a number of athletes in a young City of Hereford Swimming Club squad took part in their first 50m pool event at the Frome Open meet at Millfield School.

Gough won six golds and a silver while there were also winning performances from Beatrice Benson-Lawley, Makayla Garcia, Lucy Grimes and Maisie Tucker. Exciting performances from nine-year-olds Freya “Mike” Phelps and Ollie Jones helped the club reach a total medal haul of 63 medals with more than 90% of the swims as personal bests.

The event gave the coaching team plenty to be excited about, demonstrating another great performance from the next generation of Hereford Swimmers.

“Seeing the young swimmers race so well is great," said volunteer junior performance coach Roy Barrall. "They work hard in training and really deserve the performances they have had this weekend."

Hereford hold their 25th anniversary open meet at the city's leisure pool this weekend when more than 500 swimmers from all over the UK will descend on Hereford for a busy weekend of racing. The Hereford squad will feature more than 70 swimmers.