CLACTON Swimming Club youngster Ian Tien overcame a difficult start in his first-ever gala to book his place at next year's County Championships.

The nine-year-old, who had only just become old enough to race competitively, took part in a meeting in Braintree.

He swam in five races in total - the 50 metres freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 100m individual medley (IM).

However, things didn't start well when he was disqualified in the medley, for incorrect turn from backstroke to breaststroke.

He was then disqualified in the 50m butterfly, for an incorrect stroke.

Clacton's coaching team motivated him to keep going and, amazingly, in his next two races, the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke, he qualified for the County Championships, to be held in February, at the Olympic pool, in Stratford.

The Holland Haven Primary School pupil is Clacton's sixth swimmer to qualify for the County Championships.

It has been three years since the club were represented there, though.

By coincidence, sister Anita Tien, 11, also qualified for the event at her first attempt and she currently swims for Colchester, Essex and the Region.

Ian and Anita have a younger sister, six-year-old Emily, who is also a member at Clacton.

Clacton Swimming Club will be racing again this weekend, at Sudbury.