POTENTIAL London 2012 swimming stars will take to the water next weekend – and York City Baths Club’s Tom Jackson will be among them.

The 17-year-old breaststroke swimmer has been selected to race for Yorkshire in the prestigious National County Team Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

The All Saints’ School sixth-form student qualified as the White Rose county’s number one ranked breaststroke swimmer over 100 metres, and third in the North East.

As well as taking part in that discipline, Clifton Moor-based Jackson will tackle the medley and freestyle team relays at the event a week tomorrow.

Jackson said: “There will be some good opposition. All the other counties will bring their best swimmers and you could be looking at a few potential Olympians.

“The 17-year-olds will be the oldest age group there. In four years’ time they will be 21, which is the perfect age for the Olympics.”

The 6ft 4ins teenager added: “When I got selected it was excellent news. I’m really chuffed.

“I started swimming when I was five, but started getting into training and competing about five years ago. It has progressed from there.”

With evening training on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Jackson is gaining the rewards for his dedication.

“It’s a full commitment every day, and I also do some teaching because I want to give something back to the club for all the help they’ve given me.”

When his sixth-form stint ends next year, Jackson is “50-50” between applying to a sport-centred university or joining the Royal Navy.

Whichever route he takes, coaches Alan Sunderland and Helen Recchia are convinced he has a bright future in the sport.

Sunderland said: “Tom got into swimming late on – he didn’t start until he was about 12 years old.

“He’s made massive progress and the standard of gala he was entering has been improving drastically, through county, regional and up to national championships.

“To be representing Yorkshire in the county championships is a great achievement. He’s given youngsters at the club something to aspire to.

“How good he could be depends on what he does when he leaves York. If he goes into the Navy, he’s got the potential to do very, very well.

“He is 6ft 4ins, and that is a good start at 17.”

Meanwhile, the club is also celebrating the selection of three swimmers to represent North Yorkshire and Humberside schools at the Schools’ National Championships division three in March.

Huntington School pupil Oliver Wilby, 17, and his 14-year-old brother, James, will join club-mate Andy Burns in the squad after qualifying at trials in Huddersfield last month.