A SOUTH Petherton swimmer has hit top form ahead of the World Championships in Canada in July.

Caroline Faithfull was in action at the European Down’s Syndrome Open Swimming Competition in Southampton at the weekend and came home with four gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

Miss Faithfull, aged 23, won gold at the 800m, 400m and 200m freestyle and the 100m backstroke events, silver at the 100m and 50m freestyle and bronze at the 50m backstroke.

She is captain of the Team GB squad which is heading for Canada later in the summer and has raised £3,500 towards the trip, helped by an appeal in the Chard & Ilminster News.

Miss Faithfull said: “I would like to say a big thank-you to all the individuals and organisations who have donated funds towards the cost of the trip to Canada.

“The Chard & Ilminster News was a big help towards making it possible.

“Now I can concentrate on getting ready to face up to the best in the world.”

Caroline has been swimming competitively since 2009, when she won her first competition.

She previously competed at world championships in Italy in 2012, in Mexico in 2014, and took home a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke when competing in Italy in 2016.

Caroline also went to the fourth European Down’s Syndrome Swimming Championships in November, returning with four individual medals including a gold and six team relay medals.

She trains at Taunton Deane Swimming Club and with Reading Signets Special Needs Club once a month.

The World Championships is a six-day event and Faithfull will be swimming in the freestyle and backstroke events.

As always, she will be joined on the trip by her dad, David.