MORE than 200 youngsters representing 12 clubs from Kent and surrounding counties took part in the annual Connex Novices Challenge gala, hosted by Orpington Ojays Swmming Club at The Walnuts.

For the host club, Gemma Leggett won gold in the 11-years breaststroke in which club-mate Suzy Baverstock was third.

Jack Gardner won a bronze in the 12-year butterfly event, while the mixed 11-year relay team winning silver in the freestyle and bronze in the medley.

Chislehurst Millennium Swim Squads were also well represented and won a large number of medals.

The nine years girl relay team consisting of Kate Marshall, Ceri O'Toole, Loren Corbett and Holly Morecz won bronze in the freestyle and finished fifth in the medley, while the boys team of Ben Wimpory, Ryan Menezes, Joseph Farage and Nicholas Fryett also won bronze in the freestyle.

In the 10 years age section, Jamie English won bronze in the backstroke, while in the 11 years category, Tom Wilsenham won bronze in the freestyle.

Team-mate Tom McNally finished fourth in the freestyle and sixth in the backstroke while the two Toms were joined by Alex Cooley and Jessica Manzi to take bronze in both freestyle and medley relays.

In the 12 years age group, Chloe Fryett won bronze in the butterfly.

For the boys, Sui Lun Ko won bronze in the backstroke. Chloe, Helen and Sui Lun were joined by Richard Atkins to win bronze in the medley relay.