A 14-year-old Pembrokeshire swimmer was first home in this year's Junior Wales Swim.

Carys Thomas, who swims with Fishguard Flyers, beat the rest of the field in the annual open water event, which was held for the first time in Tenby earlier this month.

The Ysgol y Preseli pupil completed the 1,500m swim in a time of 27 minutes and 28 seconds - two minutes and 20 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

Carys, who trains for 14 hours every week with Pembrokeshire county's swimming performance squad, said the training and support of the squad's swim programme had helped her improve her performances this year.

"I'm already looking forward to next year's event," she said.

Pembrokeshire County Council's swimming development coach Paul Dowey, who trains the squad, said that anybody who had witnessed the hard work and enthusiasm Carys, and her family, had put into her training could be left in no doubt that she deserved her recognition.

Organised by Activity Wales, the Junior Wales Swim took place from North Beach Tenby on Friday, July 12.

The open water swim is open to all 11 and 14-years-old with a lapped course of three distances to choose from - 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m

Carys and the rest of the squad team members will be competing in the Welsh Summer Nationals at the end of this month.

Any youngster interested in competitive swimming can contact their local swimming development club at Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Tenby, Milford Haven and Pembroke leisure centres.