Brighton Swimming Club saw off competition from across the South East to emerge as top club at its own gala while three of its swimmers have been chosen to represent England Schools.

A record 516 swimmers took part in the two-day Tom Handley Memorial Open Meeting at the Prince Regent Swimming Complex, Brighton.

Most were representing clubs from the South East, but there was even a guest club from Sweden.

Brighton SC competitors won 24 of the 80 events and the club topped the overall points standings for the second successive year.

Hannah Belameh, 11, led Brighton's successes by winning six events and finishing as runner-up in three others, a feat matched by Ben Duke, also 11, of Bognor SC.

Four of the successful swimmers, Claire Manton, Amy Kent, Holly White and Jodie Miller, have earned international recognition.

Brighton SC trio Amy (100m breastroke), Claire (200m individual medley) and Holly (100m butterfly), plus Haywards Heath SC star Jodie (100m freestyle relay), will represent England Schools against Wales, Scotland and Ireland in Dublin on March 22.

The winners will go on to represent Great Britain at a world event in Canada next year.

Brighton and Hove High School ace Amy, 16, who won three events and finished third in three others at the Tom Handley meeting, admitted: "I can't believe I'm going to be swimming for England.

"It'll be the first time I've swum against internationals so it's a big challenge, but I think I can make it.

"My coach, Nigel Carrucan, works me hard but he's one of the best in Sussex, has the right attitude and motivates me.

"My swimming friends are really happy for me, but people at school don't really understand why I'm doing all that training.

"I swim two hours every night and from 6am to 7am twice a week, and go to the gym four or five times a week. When I got the letter about Ireland, it all made sense.

"I'm aiming for the 2008 Olympics."

Patcham High pupil Holly, 14, who recorded two wins, three seconds and a third at the Brighton gala, said: "Representing my country has been my aim for quite a few years and it's quite amazing now I'm actually doing it.

"I think I can win if I train hard. Getting up at 5.15am to train is not very nice, but it does make a difference and I think it's worth it.

"Sussex swimmers have done quite well recently and I think it's really good to get four in this."

Jodie, 13, who attends Downlands School, Hassocks, registered a first, second and third at the weekend.

She said: "It will be a good experience in Ireland because I've never swum for England.

"I hope to get to the Olympics eventually and I think my chances are quite good."

Brighton gala secretary Brian Smith said: "We were the top club in the Tom Handley last year with 17 wins and we've improved on that. It's a great start to the year and suggests we've got our training just right.

"There were nearly 400 spectators each day and the whole event went very smoothly, thanks to the Prince Regent staff.

"There was hardly a hiccup, apart from a fire alarm going off during the last presentation. Everyone was starting to leave when it was found to be a false alarm."