ALL-CONQUERING Lancaster City water polo team - the Manchester United of the swimming pool - has been honoured by the district's civic heads.

The men have won the English league five times in the last seven years, the cup seven times in nine years and British championship three times in five years.

That record includes three historic treble successes - and a unique double achieved this year by Lancaster.

Not only did the club win the senior cup but its triumph was reflected by Lancaster City Under 16s, who won the junior trophy with victory over Manchester in the final at Crystal Palace.

And last week the winning teams were invited to a special Town Hall reception by the city council leaders for the first time since 1996 to celebrate their achievements.

Mayor Cllr John Gilbert congratulated the club for its 'exceptional' record in the sport since winning its first title in 1995 - and for promoting the name of Lancaster across the country.

It was a moment to savour for club president Geoff Shingler as he thanked the city council in turn for use of the facilities at Salt Ayre Sports Centre, which have helped the club pursue its ambitions.

He said many people regarded water polo as a 'minor' sport with few players, but in reality it was a big deal in many countries around the world - with several European nations regarding it as their national sport.

The fact that Lancaster were now the undisputed champions of Britain - a fact underlined by an 8-5 victory over great rivals Penguin in the opening match of the new season - was something to be immensely proud of.