Patcham High are all set for the national finals.

They roared to a double crown at the Sussex Schools' Relay Swimming Championships at Crawley to complete a remarkable transformation.

They clinched their first boys' junior medley and freestyle title successes just two years after being also-rans.

The team of Luke Holmes, Laurence Smith, Scott Walker and Jack Smith clocked 1min.57sec in the freestyle and 2min.14m in the medley.

Patcham are likely to be joined by Imberhorne (East Grinstead) for the 43rd finals at Crystal Palace next February.

Organiser Liz Hartley, who officiated at the Sydney Olympics, said: "You have to have swum among the top 16 fastest in county events all over the country to qualifying and I think Patcham and Imberhorne have a good chance of making it with the times they did."

Patcham's 18-strong squad was managed by Ken Launton and Maria Boyle.

Launton said: "We are delighted.

"With just a couple of regional events to go we are rated about second to third in the country so we should be competing next February.

"The turnaround has been quite something. I feel it is down to Maria and I getting properly qualified to coach and some talented youngsters who have developed through local clubs like Brighton, Brighton Dolphin and Shiverers."

Their team included: Chris Sutton, Hayley Rathbone, Nathalie Berry, Holly White, Charlotte Woodley, Anna Barret, Lisa Barmes, Rosie Gargan, Lisa Barnes, Charlie Nobbs, Philip Shelly, Alec Barret, Jamie Stevens and Jemma Salmon.

St Bedes (Upper Dicker) completed an intermediate medley and freestyle double, with Claverham College (Hastings) runner-up in both events. Collyers (Horsham) won the senior titles from Lewes Tertiary College.

In the girls races, Sackville (East Grinstead) claimed the intermediate crowns, with St Bedes second in the medley and Davison (Worthing) in the freestyle.

Lewes Tertiary enjoyed taking a double triumph in the seniors, twice frustrating Collyers.

Roedean won the junior medley from Davison and swapped positions in the freestyle.

Other schools competing included: Battle Abbey, Beacon Community College (Crowborough), Cardinal Newman (Hove), Copthorne Prep, Dorothy Stringer (Brighton), Eastbourne College, Hillcrest (Hastings). St Leonards-Mayfield and William Parker (Hastings).

There were around 300 girls and 250 boys competing. Other individuals who impressed included Chris and Ben Hutchinson (Crawley), Katie Bashford (Sackville, East Grinstead), Jessica Lezard (St Bede's, Upper Dicker), Trevor Gaunt (William Parker) and Ben McIvor (Battle Abbey).

Ringmer Community College and Cottesmore Pottage suffered problems and were unable to compete.