LEYLAND Barracudas swimmer Matthew Greenbank has achieved the national qualifying time for the 1500m freestyle in a time of 17 minutes 46.55 seconds at the Harrogate Distance Open Meet on Saturday the 17th April.

The 13-year-old came third in his event overall having swum in the fastest heat against 16-year-olds. His time was 16.59 seconds under the qualifying time, and a personal best for Matthew by 26.42 seconds.

This now means he can .0enter the 1500m freestyle at the National Age Group Championships at the end of July at Ponds Forge International Pool in Sheffield.

On the way he also set a personal best time for the 400m.

He is the third member of Leyland Barracudas to have achieved this elite national standard for 2004, the others being Lisa Topping and Ryan Bennett.