MEMBERS of the Special Olympics City of York swim squad struck gold at galas in Beverley and Sunderland.

At Beverley Leisure Centre, the York swimmers competed against teams from Hull, Sheffield, Pontefract, Wakefield and Scarborough, plus guests from Holland.

Mark Snelling took gold in the 50-metre freestyle and silver in the 50m breaststroke, while William Scrope won the 50m backstroke and Angus Leckonby the 50m breaststroke.

Alicia Harrison won gold in the 50m freestyle and silver in the 50m breaststroke. Felicity Bagley earned a bronze in the 50m breaststroke.

Snelling, Scrope, Leckonby and Charlie Cutting teamed up to win silver in the 50m freestyle relay, while two of the York girls went one better - Bagley winning gold while guesting with the Sheffield team in the 50m relay and Harrison doing likewise with the Dutch team in the 25m relay.

At Sunderland, York came away with three gold, five silver and four bronze medals, with several of the team setting personal best times.

Snelling took gold in the 50m butterfly and 200m breaststroke, silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 50m breaststroke.

Angus Leckonby claimed silvers in the 50m and 100m freestyle and bronze in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke, while Scrope claimed silver in the 50m backstroke.

Harrison won gold in the 50m freestyle and silvers in the 50m breaststroke and 25m butterfly, while York also claimed a bronze medal in the 25m freestyle relay.

Special Olympics swimming sessions are held on Sundays during term time at The Mount School, which provides the facilities for free. They are run by coaches from the Team Jorvik Swimming Club and are open to children and adults with learning difficulties, providing sessions for beginner, intermediate and established swimmers.