ALTON Swimming Club member Lizzie Allen was the youngest member of the Great Britain squad to attend this year’s Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation European Championships.

Lizzie, 13,who attends The Petersfield School, travelled to Paris to compete in the four-day event, where she represented Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain in five individual events in her first championships, recording five personal best times in the process.

At the end of the event, the 32-strong team of GB swimmers collected the top team trophy and were crowned European champions.

Lizzie said: “I enjoyed seeing all the flags from all the different countries. There were 130 swimmers from 19 countries.”

Shaun Dominy, head coach at Alton Swimming Club, said: “Lizzie only joined Alton this year and she is certainly showing us what is achievable. We look forward to her continued success in the future.”