Shields swims to British record in Scarborough

Shields was among a team of 33 swimmers, based at Galpharm Stadium pool in Huddersfield, who travelled to the indoor swimming venue in Scarborough.

Shields set a new British record in the women’s 50m breaststroke, her very first race of the competition.

She comfortably beat her nearest rival Anne Russel in a time of 40.86, which is half a second faster than the previous record.

In December of last year Shields successfully defended her title of national champion in the 50m breaststroke at the Ponds Forge centre in Sheffield.

The 60-year-old continued to impress as she broke the Borough of Kirklees masters record in the 50m butterfly, narrowly beating fellow team mate Wendy Offord in a time of 39.33s.

Swimmers from 43 different clubs attended the event with teams travelling from as far away as Glasgow.

Having been a competitive swimmer since the age of 12, Shields continued her excellent form by claiming the 100m freestyle by more than 15 seconds.

She followed this up by winning the 100m breaststroke in 1:32, beating fellow Borough of Kirklees swimmer Diana Kaye who came second with a time of 1:50.

However Shields was to be beaten in the 50m freestyle as Wendy Offord narrowly beat her rival by less than a tenth of a second.

The Borough of Kirklees swimmers surpassed last year’s results with a total collection of 104 medals and out of 15 team events, took 12 first place finishes,

In her final individual race of the day, Shields arguably saved her best performance until last, beating Susan Cummings in the women’s open 100m individual medley by more than 20 seconds.

Having competed in three team events, Shields also helped Kirkless claim three more medals, with two golds and one silver.

Shields is planning on taking part in the British Gas Masters and Senior Group Championships later in Swansea this month .

The competition will prepare Shields for a trip to Canada to represent Great Britain in the 15th Fina World Masters Championships, in Montreal.