Sunderland veteran Dave second in nationwide rankings

The new event is a timed swim to see how far swimmers can get in 30 minutes.

Dave Hills, 64, gained second place in the national rankings in his age group with 2,050 metres, while Norman Stephenson achieved third place in the 70-74 years category (1,790m).

Lindy Woodrow was seventh nationally in her 60-64 years women’s category (1,465m).

Lindy Woodrow also secured two first places in the Billingham Masters Gala, in the over-60s women’s 200m and 400m freestyle. She was second in the 100m freestyle.

In the men’s events, Norman Stephenson won three over-60s races, in the 100m and 200m medley and the 100m butterfly.

He was runner-up in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, plus the 50, butterfly.

In the same category, Graeme Shutt won the 50m backstroke, was third in the 50m butterfly, fourth in the 100m medley and fifth in the 50m freestyle.

Jonathan Dean (45-49 years) won the 50m backstroke and added second-place finishes in the 100m medley and 100m backstroke.

He also came home fourth in the 50m freestyle.

Neil Shutt (40-44 years) landed second places in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and was fourth in the 50m freestyle.

Chris Toop, in the same section, won twice – in the 50m backstroke and 400m freestyle – was second in the 100m medley and 200m freestyle and had two fourth places, in the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle.

Connor Crozier, competing in the 18-24 years category, claimed third place in the 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 100m medley, and was fourth in the 50m freestyle.