A FORMER Upper Lydbrook resident who swam at Cinderford in his younger years has set multiple British swimming records at the age of 86.

Don Leatherbarrow, who now lives in Ross-on-Wye and competes for Gloucester Masters Swimming Club, recently took part in the National Long Course Masters Championships at Swansea International Sports Centre.

Leatherbarrow, who turns 87 on March 15, won gold in all six events he entered, setting new British records in four of them.

In the 85-89 age group, he completed the 400m Freestyle in 7 minutes, 31.26 seconds, breaking the previous record of 7 minutes, 41.45 seconds.

He also shattered a 20-year-old record in the 200m Freestyle, finishing in 3 minutes, 27.55 seconds, more than 20 seconds faster than the previous best of 3 minutes, 49.22 seconds.

Leatherbarrow continued his success by setting a new British record in the 200m Breaststroke with a time of 4 minutes, 43.43 seconds, beating the old record of 5 minutes, 20.27 seconds.

In the 50m Freestyle, he touched the wall in 37.98 seconds, breaking the previous record of 39.40 seconds.

Alongside his record-breaking swims, he also won gold in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke events.

Leatherbarrow trains in a 25m pool, making the switch to a 50m pool for the competition a challenge.

He said: "As I train in a 25m pool, like most of the country, adapting speed and endurance to a 50m pool is quite difficult, so the results were unexpectedly great for me."

His wife, Cindy, has been a key support, managing logistics and ensuring he is always prepared for each event. "My wife has been amazing throughout the whole thing. She drives me to where I need to be, makes sure I’m on time, and does so much behind the scenes."

These latest achievements add to Leatherbarrow’s impressive career, which includes breaking numerous British and European records.