East Midland swimmers; Sophie Allen (Lincoln Vulcans), Olivia Sefton (Long Eaton) and Daniel Mills (Mansfield) will be competing this week at the European Junior Championships which take place in Belgrade, Serbia from Wednesday 30th July to Sunday 3rd August.

The three East Midland swimmers make up part of a 44-strong squad of some of Britain's most exciting swimming prospects who will be testing themselves against the sport's best youngsters from around Europe.

With the sport preparing for the 2012 Games, the European Junior Championships both this year and next will have greater significance as the athletes competing in these championships will be in their prime.

Head Coach Dave Champion is excited by the promise within the squad and will be looking for consistency from the young squad.

'This squad includes many of the athletes that recently competed in Mexico at the World Junior Championships,' Champion said. 'We have an excellent mix of debutants and experience in the squad and I expect them all to step up their game in Belgrade.

'For a lot of the athletes this competition will be like nothing they have ever experienced before and I think that the coaches and support staff will take the emphasis off the competition and get the athletes to enjoy themselves.

'I think the squad will relax and compete well in Belgrade and enjoy racing different types of swimmers. We will face tough competition but I think that the quality in the squad will shine through.'