A YOUNG swimmer will take the plunge to represent Radcliffe at a regional competition this weekend.

Natalya Bonfield, aged 12, will compete in the Swim England North West Region Championships at Manchester Aquatic Centre.

The freestyle swimmer is also in training for the Inter-Association Championships in June.

She is one of just a handful of swimmers from Greater Manchester who has been selected due to her successful performance at this year's Greater Manchester Age Groups competition, where she entered eight events and secured eight personal bests.

Dad Phil Bonfield said: "I was quite shocked when we found out Natalya would be competing.

"We received an email and it came straight out of the blue.

"Natalya was over the moon about being selected.

"It is a massive commitment for swimmers. She trains day and night."

Natalya, from Darcy Lever, was six years old when she first got into the water, and aged nine when she joined Radcliffe Swimming and Waterpolo Club.

Aged 10, she progressed to Radcliffe's senior group and also became a member of the Salford club.

She now trains with both Radcliffe and City of Salford Swimming Club six days a week, and her dedicated has led to her ranking ninth in Lancashire for her age group.

Mr Bonfield said: "It is entirely up to Natalya where she takes this. If she wants it, we will encourage her to go for it.

"She desires to do well and to get to nationals at some point.

"I would just like to thank the coaches at Radcliffe and City of Salford for their commitment to help her achieve this."

The next big challenge for Natalya is the Swim England North West Region Championships at Manchester Aquatic Centre this weekend.

The Thornleigh Salesian College pupil will then focus her attentions on training for the championships at Palatine Leisure Centre, Blackpool, on Sunday, June 24.

Radcliffe head coach Darren Knowles said: "It is a privilege to be Natalya's coach.

"She has shown massive improvement since January. She just keeps getting better and better.

"My aim was to make her believe in herself and once we did that, she was progressing even more. She is definitely going to be a national standard swimmer.

"She is loving the sport and seems very happy.

"Ahead of this weekend, I would say to forget about the pressure or the size of the gala, visualise your swim, and swim that visualisation.'"