SWANAGE youngster Daisy Kirkpatrick has been labelled “a force to be reckoned with” after claiming three gold medals at the Dorset County Swimming Championships.

Held at the Littledown Leisure Centre in Bournemouth, Kirkpatrick, 11, saw off the best from her age group in the pool.

The event attracted 400 swimmers from across Dorset, with Kirkpatrick coming out on top in the 100m butterfly, 200m breaststroke and 100m individual medley races.

Kirkpatrick’s coach, Jeff Sandley, said: “What an incredible performance from Daisy, representing the Swim Bournemouth team.

“She was taking no prisoners in her assault on the championship titles, winning an incredible 11 medals overall.

“With some mesmerising performances and nail-biting finals, this marks Daisy as a force to be reckoned with.”

He added: “Daisy will now be back training hard and gaining some experience in 50 metre pools, before stepping it up a level to compete in the South West regional championships, going head-to-head against the best from Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Gloucester.”

The talented schoolgirl won Swim Bournemouth’s junior swimmer of the year trophy last month.

Sandley said: “She is a fierce competitor when she races. She has quite a scary level of determination when she sets her mind to winning a race.

“Daisy is a fantastic young lady and young swimmer.”

Kirkpatrick’s family run the popular fish and chip shop The Fish Plaice in Swanage.

Her mother, Sam, said: “She is extremely dedicated and determined, training three mornings and two evenings a week.

“For the early starts, she sets her alarm for 4am and is in the pool by 5am, before returning to Swanage in time for the start of school.

“We’re all extremely proud of what she has achieved.”

Kirkpatrick will now be aiming to continue her winning streak at the Swim England South West championships, held in April at Millfield School in Somerset.