Finley Bennett is only eight but the talented swimmer with Haverfordwest Seals is making a name for himself at competitions across South Wales.

In October he helped The Seals win the Pembrokeshire Championship as he did well in the eight and under section in the pool at Haverfordwest, picking up five gold and one silver medal as proof of his consistency and ability to swim a range of strokes.

Finley won the 50 metres freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke, plus silver in the 50m butterfly - and also struck gold in the individual medley over 100 and 200m.

Next was the Neath Open Gala a week later at the National Pool in Swansea, his first experience of a 50m pool, as he faced some of the most talented youngsters from the area in a step-up in class in a pentathlon-style competition where the overall performance in five events mattered.

So he had to race over all four strokes at the 50m distance and a 200m individual medley - and won four of them but had to stop swimming at full tilt in the butterfly because of a sore arm.

But he was still declared overall winner and created something of a stir in the breaststroke as his time was the best-ever recorded by a Welsh eight year old in a 50m long-course pool!

Then it was on to the Urdd Championships at the International Pool in Cardiff, where Finley represented Fenton Primary School in the 50m breastroke for years three & four.

He competed against the best swimmers from across Wales and showed real grit in taking the gold medal with a vital fingertip touch.

It was a terrific performance and no-one was more delighted than father Gareth, team manager of Haverfordwest Seals, and mum Hayley, who always helps out at galas in Haverfordwest.

All three Bennetts were full of praise from the club and there is no doubt his three hard training sessions a week are paying dividends!