A 10-YEAR-OLD swimmer who trains five times a week and dreams of competing in the Olympics is ready to represent her county at the national finals.

Connie Evans, year six pupil at Ysgol Gellifor in Ruthin, will represent Denbighshire for the second time in the Urdd Eisteddfod National Swimming Gala at the Cardiff International Pool, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, in January.

For months she has been going to swim training with her two sisters Maisie, 13, and Eva, 11, at 6.30am before attending school as she loves the sport and, putting the hours of practice into action, the Denbigh Dragons swimmer qualified for the finals in the 50 metre butterfly category at a gala qualification in Rhyl on November 13.

The Ruthin youngster, who is short for her age yet competes against older children, also excels at gymnastics at Ruthin and Denbigh Gymnastics Club and wishes to become an Olympic athlete in or out of the water.

Connie's mum, Petra Evans, 46, used to swim for Ruthin Swim Club when she was younger but only ever wanted Connie and her siblings to be competent swimmers, but all three have taken to it like a fish in water and she says she and husband Gary are "immensely proud".

Mrs Evans said: "We're immensely proud of Connie and her sisters.

"We were happy as long as she could swim competently but she wanted to swim competitively. She is quite competitive and thrives off adrenaline. "Connie is short for her age and her grandfather called her 'Pocket Rocket', but she is fast and competes against older girls that are much taller.

"She has indescribable energy - if swim training is called off she needs to go running or on her bike."

Taking the three sisters to swim class at 6.30am is evidently a big commitment for Mrs Evans too, however she realises the benefits it has for her children.

""It can be a lonely sport but the relays are good for team-building and all the swimmers come together like a big team which is lovely to watch," she said.

"Connie loves the Olympics and dreams of competing there in swimming or gymnastics.

"Sometimes it is a reward and sometimes it is also a pain, but as long as they are enjoying it they will continue to go."

Richard Monteiro, headteacher at Ysgol Gellifor, said: "As a school we have always had good success from our swimmers.

"We'll be crossing our fingers for Connie at the national finals and her teacher Miss Lodge will be making the journey to cheer her on at poolside!"