BUNTINGFORD Swimming Club coaches this week hailed two of their brightest juniors – then launched a search for more new talent. Iona Hayes, left, and Rhodri Hughes, both nine, were among the stars at the club s annual awards ceremony on Friday. Hayes swep

BUNTINGFORD Swimming Club coaches this week hailed two of their brightest juniors - then launched a search for more new talent.

Iona Hayes, left, and Rhodri Hughes, both nine, were among the stars at the club's annual awards ceremony on Friday.

Hayes swept the board in the under-10 girls' category at the club championships. Hughes also picked up a clutch of trophies, including a swimmer of the year award.

But coach Alan Bowell said the duo were lacking competition because of a shortage of under-10 swimmers.

He said coaches were desperate to unearth new talent in time for the start of the Hertfordshire under-13 Peanuts League campaign in summer 2007.

"We desperately need more nine-year-old swimmers," he said. "And we want to hear from any parents who have youngsters who are aged between seven and 10, and are keen swimmers."

Buntingford has lost the services of many of the youngsters whose outstanding displays have secured the club a place in division two of the Peanuts League over recent years.

Swimmers including Annabel Shaw, Tara Power, Georgia Makin, Devon Cox, Becky Diack, Sophie Robinson, Millie Farmer, Tom Carr, Josh Davies and Ben Johnson are now all too old to compete.

And Bowell is keen to ensure that new talent emerges to keep the club - this year celebrating its 30th anniversary - in the league's second tier.