AN ULVERSTON-based swimmer is strokes ahead of the rest of the field.

Joe Elwood, who swims for Ulverston Otters Swimming Club, won four golds at a prestigious national swimming championships.

The 19 year old claimed gold in the 50 metre, 100 metre, 200 metre and the four by 50 metre medley relay when he was representing Loughborough University at the British University National Short Course Championships over the weekend of November 15 and 16.

Joe's first event was the 50 metre backstroke where he was quickest into the final from the heat and won with a lifetime best time.

He then went on to win the 200 metre backstroke, breaking the 2 minute mark for the first time in his career by finishing in a time of one minute 58 seconds.

But Joe was not finished.

He smashed another personal best in the final of the 100 metre backstroke with a time of 53.17 seconds.

He was soon back in the water for the final of the medley relay again breaking his personal best on the backstroke leg, leading Loughborough to gold.

That makes Joe the triple British University Backstroke Champion.

He said: "I would like to thank my local sponsors: The Bodyrehab in Staveley, Todds in Kendal, Furness Building Society and the Rotary Club of Ulverston for their continued support."