Newbury District Swimming Club member breaks Masters British, European and World records at the South East Region Long Course Masters Championships in Crawley

A West Berkshire swimmer broke a British, European and World record on his way to glory at the weekend.

Dave Milburn, from Bucklebury, won the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events at the South East Region Long Course Masters Championships at the K2 sports centre in Crawley on Saturday and Sunday.

He broke the world record in the 50m event by 0.24 seconds, after it was held by an Australian swimmer for the past 10 years.

He said: “I am on cloud nine really. It is a lifetime dream for me.

“I knew the British record was in reach but I really didn’t think I would be achieving a world record.

“So many of these world records are held by former Olympians.”

The weekend saw Mr Milburn, who swims with Newbury District Swimming Club, achieve his first European and World records – in the 50m event – as well as further British records in all three events.

“I currently hold several British records for some of the breaststroke events and, having just moved up in age group this year, my objective was to try to gain one or two more,” he added.

Mr Milburn, who will turn 60 later this year, trains four or five times a week in the pool, with additional gym sessions added in too.

He is now preparing for the Welsh Masters in Swansea in March, before he heads to Aberdeen for the National Masters Championships in June.

He will then compete in the European Masters in Rome at the end of August.