TAVISTOCK children are set to make a big splash later this month as Meadowlands Leisure Centre gears up to host its annual Primary School Swimming Gala.

Organised by Tavistock Swimming Club, children aged between eight and eleven will be taking to the water to compete in a variety of individual and relay races.

This June also marks the leisure centre’s 27th anniversary, with the popular gala dating back to the early nineties.

Taking place on March 30, between 1pm and 3pm, members of the public are invited to cheer on the 12 teams that will compete in three heats for each of 13 events, including front crawl, back stroke, breast stroke and butterfly.

Up to 10 schools from the surrounding area are set to take part, including Tavistock Primary School, St Peter’s Junior School, Lamerton Primary School and Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary School.

The winning schools will be presented with trophies and all swimmers will receive certificates commending their efforts. Six new trophies, part sponsored by pool managers Fusion Lifestyle, will also be presented this year.

James Lake, Tavistock Swimming Club’s head coach, said: ‘It is fantastic to bring all the schools together to celebrate young swimming talent and most importantly have fun whilst doing it! Events like this gala encourage better awareness in and around water, as well as inspiring the next generation of talented young swimmers.’

To drum up excitement ahead of the event, the leisure centre is also running a competition inviting children to draw Fusion’s famous Ollie the Octopus mascot. There will be various swimming-related prizes to win.