ENTENTE cordiale was on the agenda as well as medals when Poole Swimming Club headed across the Channel to compete in their twin town's Arena Open Meet at Cherbourg.

"The reception we got was out of this world which gave great encouragement to our swimmers," said club spokeswoman Michelle Ledden.

The trip was sponsored by various organisations, including the twinning committees in both towns, Brittany Ferries, Pucca Pads, Halfords and Poole Pottery, who provided a commemorative plate.

Because of the ferry times, organisers shortened the meet by reducing the distance of the finals to 50m, although the heats were swum over 100m.

Three Poole swimmers broke competition records - Phoebe Notley in the 50m and 100m freestyle, James Rafferty in the 50m backstroke and Mark Francis in the 100m freestyle.

Rafferty, 14, also led the Poole medal tally with gold in the 50m backstroke and breaststroke (33.99 and 39.77) and silver in the 50m freestyle (30.37).

Phoebe Notley, 13, almost matched his tally with gold in the 50m freestyle (30.30) and silver in both the 50m backstroke and butterfly (35.81 and 35.04).

Two other swimmers also struck gold - 15-year-old Sammie Ledden in the girls' 50m breaststroke (30.30) and Claire Rafferty, 16, in the 50m backstroke (33.99).

In the men's events, Mark Francis took silver in the 50m freestyle (24.69) and breaststroke (32.66) while Paul Corbin collected bronze in the 50m backstroke (30.22).

MARY DIES AGED 83

Mary Howe, a driving force of Bournemouth Dolphins from its earliest days in the 1950s, died on Monday aged 83.

She fulfilled many roles during her lifelong involvement in swimming including president of Hampshire ASA in 1976, secretary of the Dorset Schools Swimming Association and the Division 12 region for some years and president of the English Schools Swimming Association in 1988.

She was a diver in her youth and went on to coach national diving champion Marian Watson in 1959-60.

She and her late husband, Leslie, were involved with Bournemouth Dolphins from the mid-1950s and were centrally involved until about 1990.

Fellow former Dolphins president Dr Ian Gordon said: "Her commitment to the club for four decades was exceptional and her legacy is the success of the club up to the present day.

"Until about 1990, she and Leslie were Bournemouth Dolphins Swimming Club and generations of swimmers remember them fondly.

"She retained her interest in her swimmers long after their competitive days were over and was always anxious to hear news of them in later life. She will be greatly missed."

Mrs Howe's funeral is at St Augustine's Church, near Cemetery Junction, Bourne-mouth, at 11am on Monday.