talented young swimmer Matthew Boyd is causing waves both in and out of the pool.

The nine-year-old from Baxendan has picked up astring of medals in swimming and the sport of biathlon.

At the recent North Lancashire Swimming Championships at the Palatine Pool in Blackpool. Matthew competed in 10 events and returned with a haul of medals, personal best times and a coveted BAGCATS Award.

The Baxenden St John’s Primary School pupil, who swims for Preston Swimming Club, achieved PBs in all 10 events and won four gold and four silver medals.

He touched home first in 400m freestyle, 200m Butterfly, 200m Backstroke and 50m Backstroke.

His silver medals came in the 200m freestyle, 200m IM, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle. In addition to his medal haul, he also won the coveted BAGCATS Award – a prize presented to the swimmer who accumulates the most points over a variety of strokes and distances. However, Matthew has also enjoyed success in the run-swim event of biathlon He won gold in the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Schools Biathlon at Accrington Academy.

He recently qualified for the final of the British Schools Biathlon which is to be held on April 6, he will get the opportunity to run Olympic Stadium and Swimming at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in London. Back in the pool, Matthew won won three gold, three silvers and three bronze medals again scooping the BAGCATS Award the Annual Preston Swimming Club Championships.

And in March, he will compete in the Lancashire County Swimming Championships in Liverpool and Manchester. Matthew will compete in the 10 year old age group with his 10th birthday falling on the same weekend as the first events.