A SWIMMING prodigy from Cannington has landed a scholarship to attend a prestigious college renowned for producing Olympic athletes.

10-year-old Austin Ranson is set to join Mount Kelly School at Tavistock in Devon, which has produced an impressive roll call of elite international swimmers including Sharon Davies and Mark Foster.

When Austin began lessons at Trinity Sports & Leisure 1610 staff soon spotted and nurtured his potential and guided him towards competitive club swimming with Bridgwater ASC.

Austin progressed further and excelled at numerous swimming competitions.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Mum Colette is very proud of his achievement; “We are all so thrilled for Austin as Mount Kelly will allow him to pursue his swimming and academic potential in a balanced way.

"It really will be life changing for him and we are very proud of all the hard work he has put in.

"He has also had great grass roots support from 1610 staff and the Bridgwater Swimming Club who have helped to make this all possible.”

"For us as a family having such good local facilities ten minutes away was very important so he could get enough time in the pool without us spending hours driving him in the car.”

Austin currently trains at Trinity for an average of five and a half hours per week but soon he will be swapping the Bridgwater pool to swim alongside the elite swimmers at Mount Kelly.

1610 swim and sports development manager Ricky Hayes said: “We are delighted that Austin has done so well and wish him all the best for the future.

"His story shows how young swimming talent can be nurtured to follow a pathway into competitive swimming with Bridgwater Swimming Club and beyond.

"The facilities and specialist knowledge we have at Trinity help swimmers from all ages, such as Rich Hill who in his thirties is achieving some of the best times of his career through smart training and access to great facilities.”

For more information about Trinity Sports & Leisure Swim school call 01278 429119.