Merton’s young sports stars have been toasting success at this year’s London Youth Games.

Both boys and girls Year 7 hockey sides won gold medals. The sides were managed by Wimbledon Hockey Club.

This year also saw a massive boost for the borough’s swimmers, who rose to come eighth overall after finishing 21st in 2016.

The side finished fourth in the girls medal relay, missing out on bronze by eight hundredths of a second.

Coach Gordon Hughes said: “The whole primary swim team did the borough proud with numerous great performances across the team.

“I'm immensely proud of the whole team drawn from all the primary schools in

Merton.”

Helena Purves, a Year 6 pupil at Holy Trinity School's recorded the third fasted time by an 11-year-old in London for backstroke this year and the 10th fastest in Britain.

Maegan Mujer, a Year 6 pupil at SS Peter and Paul Catholic School, recorded the second fastest time for butterfly in London this year in her age category.

Mr Hughes added: “I believe the future for competitive swimming within the borough is getting significantly better within primary schools as parents are more aware about accessing extra-curricular swimming clubs for lessons.

“Let's face it as a sport it is a cradle to the grave activity and that can't be said about most.”