TWO superstar swimmers from Inverclyde are eyeing more future podium places following a successful summer of competitions. 

Abi McAnerney, 15, and Blake Herdman, 14, of Inverclyde Amateur Swimming Club (ASC), have been praised for their achievement by their coach - with Abi achieving the British age group champion title in 50m butterfly.

The swimmers attended Aquatics GB summer championship in Sheffield, in July with both earning a host of achievements.

Blake, who has been swimming since he was seven years old, said: “It was a great experience to go to Sheffield and represent the club but I was very nervous, I also got a PB in my race which was a big deal."

READ MORE: Inverclyde swimmers win medals at Scottish championships

Abi has been selected to compete in Geneva, Switzerland, next year at the European Junior Swimming Championships alongside head coach Shirley Redford.

Shirley has been with the club for 14 years and is 'so proud' of the hard work the youngsters put in.

She said: "To see Abi and Blake from the beginning, coming right through the club and to now competing at national level is amazing to see.

"Abi has worked really hard on her technical skills and all of that hard work is now paying off.

"Hopefully Abi will just keep progressing, she is on the National junior team which is a Scottish swimming selection programme that has all the best from across the whole country to hopefully bring them through the ranks to senior swimming and things like the European juniors and the Commonwealth Games."

British age group champion, Abi McAnerney will compete in Switzerland, in July (Image: Alex Craig)

The club is planning to attend next year's Commonwealth Games when they return to Glasgow.

Shirley said: “It will be great, we attended the last commonwealth games as a club and we will be hoping to do the same next year.

"Abi will only be 16 at the next games but she will hopefully be targeting the next four-year cycle to compete."

Abi has been in the Inverclyde ASC for six years, she told the Tele: "I am nervous but also really excited to go to Switzerland and it means that I get to explore the world while swimming.

“I think [competing in the European junior's] is a big step up, it will be my first international competition so I am excited for the experience.

"I feel like I am moving up the competition levels very fast. Last year I won my first Scottish national medal and this year I am British champion so I suppose all my training is paying off."