Hatfield Platypus Swimming Club, which caters for people with physical and learning disabilities, recently held its annual gala.

Stevenage Dolphins, Ruislip Turtles and Ealing Swimming Club competed against the Platypus A and B teams at the gala on Sunday, April 28.

All races were swum under the 'handicapping' system, where competitors enter a predicted time and start times are staggered with the slowest first - so that in theory all would finish the race together.

Platypus B won the competition, following individual wins by Elsie-beau Kiely, Lizi Jones, James Harwood, Cheryl Hastings and James Barton.

Platypus A came second - led by the ladies' relay team of Abigail McLean, Barbara Burton and Emma Donovan.

Bex Jones and Paul Hastings, both in Platypus A, also won both diving events.

The club meets weekly at Hatfield Swim Centre from 3pm to 5pm on Sundays, and welcomes new members with disabilities and other health issues.

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Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Cllr Pankit Shah, who helped score the diving, said: "I was delighted to attend the Platypus annual swimming gala.

"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to those dedicated volunteers and the relatives of the members for their unwavering support.  

"I also believe that a truly inclusive society is one where every individual, regardless of ability or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully."