BEN Harkin broke a European record in a stunning display at the Swim England National Championships.

Swimming in the 40-44 age group, Harkin beat the previous 100m medley continental mark and was just a quarter of a second outside the world record.

He was part of a Warrington Masters Swimming Club team that was in exceptional form as the club took home 26 gold medals, 14 silvers and seven bronzes – smashing 11 British records and 37 club records in the process.

Six of the new British bests went to Harkin, who set a new mark in every event he raced in.

Russ Mason also enjoyed a successful championship performance, securing a hat-trick of gold medals, one silver and two bronze as well as achieving two British records.

His efforts in the 100m breaststroke saw the old record smashed by 0.9 of a second, whilst his 100m individual medley (IM) swim broke a record which had stood unbeaten for 12 years.

Judy Brown, competing in the national 50-54 group for the final time, collected a fine total of four golds, two silvers and a bronze.

Her victories came in the 100m backstroke, 200m fly for the first time since 2005, and 400m medley, while an excellent swim in the 200m backstroke saw her better her own British record by over half a second.

The team also performed well in the relay events, with the 4x200m and 4x100m medley teams making sure another two British records tumbled.

Trevor Eland claimed gold in the 100m backstroke and butterfly and took silver in the 50m fly, 100m free and 50m free, whilst Chris Rix retained his 200m backstroke and 200m freestyle titles before adding silver and bronze in the 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke respectively.

Phil Woods’ excellent swim to win the 400m IM was followed up with silvers in the 800m medley and 200m breaststroke, and bronze in the 200m medley, whereas Pat Jackson, despite fighting off the effects of a recent virus, claimed three golds and two silvers in the 70-74 age group.

Mark Jones swam an excellent 1500m free, breaking 19 minutes to set a new club record and claim the silver, which he followed with silvers in the 200m fly, and a silver and gold in the 400m and 800m free’s respectively.

Gerry Kelleher had an excellent swim to take gold in the 200m butterfly event, and Jackie Carribine took bronze in the 50m backstroke.

New member Becky Pearson set three new club records in the 50m fly, 50m back and 100m medley swims, whilst fellow recent starters Caz and Ali Mackay’s relay efforts achieved the same feats.