Mansfield’s Paralympic swimmers Ollie Hynd MBE and Charlotte Henshaw will be aiming to secure their places in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games when they take part in the British Para-Swimming International Meet at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow from 23 to 27 April.

Paralympic gold winner and World and European and Commonwealth champion Ollie Hynd is hoping to repeat his amazing performances at the IPC World Championships last year at Tollcross, where he scooped a gold medal in the SM8 200m individual medley and gold in the S8 400m freestyle. He also picked up a bronze medal in the S8 100m backstroke, just 0.3 seconds behind the winner.

Charlotte, who is the 2012 Paralympic silver medallist and former European Champion, will also be keen to make her mark in the women’s SB6 100m breaststroke, after breaking the European record and taking a silver medal at the World Championships last year.

Also taking part in the Tollcross Meet in April are up and coming Mansfield swimmers Ben Foulston and Kiera Shepherd, who are already showing great promise for the future. Ben will be competing in the men’s 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle, while Kiera will be taking part in the 50m and 100m women’s freestyle.

All four swimmers are coached by Mansfield District Council’s swim coach and development officer Glenn Smith at the Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex and the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre. They all belong to the Nottinghamshire ASA County Swim Squad, Nova Centurion – Mansfield Squad.

Glenn said: “This is the most important domestic competition for British Para swimmers in four years. It’s the culmination of a season’s work, and I’m looking forward to all our swimmers competing. It’s great that we have so much local support which is a massive boost going into the Glasgow trials. All four swimmers are in great shape and looking forward to the five day competition.”

Mayor of Mansfield District Council, Kate Allsop. said: “We are all rooting for our Mansfield swimmers in Glasgow and wish them well in their efforts to qualify for the Paralympics in Rio this year. This is a very exciting time for our brilliant young athletes, who are such an inspiration to young swimmers across the district. We are extremely proud of them and their achievements.”