WHEN local mill owner and later Liberal MP Caleb Wright decided to apply for planning permission to build a swimming pool in Tyldesley back in 1876, he had no idea what he was starting.

Within weeks of the baths opening on July 22 of that year, Tyldesley Swimming Club was formed.

And 125 years later it is still going stronger than ever.

Sure the subscription for membership has risen a bit from five shillings a year but the club - with a water polo section added in 1891 - is now as successful as ever.

Current president Mavis Bent, who is preparing to celebrate 125 years not out, is delighted at the club's success.

She said: "It is a great club to be involved with. We've had our ups and downs over the years but thanks to a lot of hard work from previous committee's and this one we are still going strong.

"We have 250 members and I'm proud of each one. We might have international swimmers but we are very much a family club. Some members don't swim competitively and just enjoy the social side because there is a good atmosphere here."

Over the years there have been plenty of talking points and honours at the club, which is based at the swimming baths on Shuttle Street.

The highlight for most was the famous Channel relay swim in September 1967. Six Tyldesley teenagers swimming in relay for one hour each covered the gruelling 31 miles from Dover to Wussant beach near Calais in 11 hours 37 minutes - just 16 minutes outside the world record.

It was a fantastic effort, and the team were rewarded with a homecoming tour through the streets of Tyldesley in an open-topped Land Rover.

Another honour was in 1908 appropriately named member Addin Tyldesley swam in the Olympic Games in London in the 100m freestyle. He swam well but was beaten in a semi-final heat by American CM Daniels.

Then of course there was Duncan Cleworth who represented the town and the club with distinction at the 1976 Olympic Games and 1978 Commonwealth Games.

Today's members are busy carving their own names into history.

Jenny Coughlin is a Paralympic swimmer who is breaking records right, left and centre. After breaking three records in the British Blind Sport Nationals, she was selected for the Sydney 2000 Paralympics finishing an excellent 5th in the three events she competed in.

Jonathan Stafford plays for the England senior water polo squad and was part of the Tyldesley under 18s squad which won the National Championships for the first time in the history of the club.

Michael Crowburn is a top swimmer who's competed in Cairo, France and the Czech Republic.

Khalid Jhugroo is a long-distance swimmer who competed recently in the Open Water World Championship in Japan.

Then there's Dominic Derbyshire, a water polo player who has taken part in tournaments throughout the world and in August heads for Germany for the European Championships.

It's quite a list and with this talent, plus more waiting in the wings, it can only mean a strong and healthy future for the club.

Here's to another 125 years!

HNEW members are always welcome at the club - as long as they can swim! Swimming nights are Mondays and Thursday from 7pm onwards while water polo night is Friday. A special water polo beginners session starts at 7.15pm for an hour then the pros take over at 8.15pm.