JESSICA Griffiths is preparing to take on the cream of the country's swimmers after achieving the national 200m freestyle qualifying time.

The 11-year-old Wyre Forest Swimming Club member clocked two minutes 25.93 seconds at the Midland Age Group Championships in Coventry.

Griffiths, who received funding through the Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation earlier this year, is now the best 200m freestyle swimmer in the county for her age group.

Also competing for the club in this event were Eliza Bradley, 11, and Faith Ross, 11, who came 21st and 49th respectively out of 86 competitors.

Scott Allin, 12, also gained the top spot in Worcestershire for the 200m backstroke, finishing 10th out of 21 in his age group.

Bradley qualified for every event, securing two first places in the county in the 100m backstroke and the 200m butterfly and coming 11th and 10th overall.

She also managed two second places in the 100m breaststroke and 400m individual medley, coming ninth and 12th overall.

Ross, who qualified for eight events also swam in 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 200m butterfly and the 400m individual medley.

On Sunday, 12-year-old Jack Barnett knocked more than six seconds off his personal best in the 200m breaststroke.

He finished 10th out of 15 in his age group and top for the Worcestershire county.

Barnett also competed in the 100m freestyle where he was 22nd out of 44 and second fastest in the county.