KATY VENTERS is celebrating a bronze medal at her first senior National Swimming Championships.

The Salendine Nook teenager finished third last night in the 200m backstroke final at the British Gas-sponsored championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Her medal success was a superb back-up to her gold and bronze medals in the Youth Commonwealth Games in India and a tremendous boost as she continues to improve in the Olympic train-on squad.

It’s also a fine reward for everyone concerned at the Borough of Kirklees club but especially for the hours of dedication that Katy – who finished sixth in the 100m final earlier in the week – has put in.

The final was won by Loughborough University’s Elizabeth Simmonds in a time of 2-10.48, with Swansea’s Georgia Davies taking silver in 2-10.96.

Katy, who was fastest qualifier in the heats and third fastest into the final, justified that form with a time of 2-12.40 to take the bronze medal, pipping fourth-placed Rachel Lefley of Loughborough by 0.13sec. Her split times for each 50m were 31.93, 1-05.10 and 1.38.91.