A BRITISH swimming champion from Ludlow, who will be competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has returned to his roots at his old club.

Oliver Morgan achieved three British backstroke titles last year in the 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres. 

He will now be representing Team GB at the Olympics this year in the men's 200-metre backstroke.

The 20-year-old University of Birmingham student started with Ludlow Swimming Club around the age of 10 and recently returned to the club for a visit.

The club said: "Ollie Morgan came back to where it all started in little old Ludlow. He might be the British champion but he doesn't forget his roots and is the same Ollie we all know and love. He will have our hearts racing at the Olympics, and we will always support him, even though we're all a little starstruck now including the coaches. Well done Ollie, we're all so happy for you!"

Upon finding out he qualified for the Olympics, Mr Morgan said: "If you asked me two years ago if I would be in this position I'd have said no way. I can't put it into words. It proves you don't have to be there as a youngster."

In the Olympic trials, he clocked 52.70 seconds to break the previous record set by Liam Tancock 15 years ago.

Last year, Ludlow Swimming Club said that it was struggling to pay its bills and was raising £20,000 to pay for hiring the pool.

A young swimmer, Callen Gill, raised over £1,000 towards the costs by swimming the equivalent of a marathon.

The club has been running for 30 years, but its struggles have come since the pandemic, with a decline in membership and hikes in costs to keep going.

A spokesperson for the club said previously: "The money from this crowdfunding will help to pay the pool hire frees for 2024. As a result we will run gala events and raise income for the club. Even some young members have been running their own events to support the club."