PAUL Whelan, alias 'Billy Elliott', had the last laugh on his Ramsbottom Rascals team-mates.

The 12-year-old had been on work experience and word got out that he'd picked up the nickname due to his amazing likeness to the big screen film hero.

But Woodhey High School pupil Paul showed he could cope with the mickey-taking romping to two golds and a silver in the sprint championships at Wigan International.

The Rascals had been rapped by head coach Rick Wesolowski who accused his elite swimmers of lacking mental strength.

But last week's roasting, together with intensive training, paid off with some much-improved performances.

Wesolowski told the Bury Times last night: "Now we must maintain our form and build in it during the season."

As well as Paul's hat-trick, Calum Hall won two golds while Emma McKenna picked up a bronze.

Emma Hughes was second in the under 17s freestyle and third for backstroke.

In his assessment of the weekend's performances Wesolowski said Laura Spencer and Donna Moffatt did well considering the tough competition in the under 13s age group and the tough-talking coach praised Gemma Bromba who he said was outstanding despite an accident at school 48 hours earlier.

Sixteen-year-old Richard Marks celebrated being selected for the GB Maccabiah Games youth squad by qualifying for the men's open final.

Kate Pinder, 14, and eleven-year-old Sam Pearson - both breaststroke swimmers - are in fine form for the Rascals' NELF squad which has recorded comfortable victories against Colne and Darwen.