Around 150 youngsters from Sussex have become part of the Bill Sweetenham masterplan for British swimming.

They competed in the first Sussex Development Graded Gala for rookies and others below County Championship level supported by the sport's national supremo Sweetenham.

He believes competition for all will help Britain emulate the success he brought to Australia and the kids at Crawley responded to the challenge.

Brighton shone as the youngsters enjoyed their day in the sun with a clutch of qualifying times for next February's Sussex Championships.

The club had 12 victories overall, including four by Michael Case, as their boys achieved seven triumphs, with Chichester Cormorant winning five. Crawley secured most girls' titles (seven) as 1066 Swimmers (Hastings) claimed four.

Brighton coach Nigel Currucan said: "It was a great morale and motivational boost for the youngsters who don't often win or do good times. The ASA are keen for youngsters to race at their own level so that it gives them encouragement to push on and the gala has done that.

"In fact, quite a few of the swimmers surprised people. There were plenty who went fast enough to make it to the County Championships."

Case, 16, managed to qualify in the 100m and 200m freestyle while recording a personal best in the 4x100m individual medley.

Brighton's Rachel Boxall, also 13 and often in the shadow of Isobel Rogers and Emma Eaves, scored a butterfly double at 100m and 200m. Clubmate Holly Everett, nine, qualified in the 200m breaststroke and also won the 4x100 medley.

Laura Stokes (Crawley), 12, completed victories in 100m and 200m butterfly, just outside qualifying times. Clubmate Sophie Woodman, 10, won the 4x100m individual and 200m breaststroke.

Martha Newell and Zak Pishon-Flannery (Shiverers, Hove) impressed. Newell, 13, qualified in the 100m and 200m backstroke while Pishon-Flannery, 12, succeeded in the 100m freestyle and individual medley, a fraction outside qualifying in both events.