THE passion and desire of a young Clydebank swimmer is capturing hearts as well as trophies and medals as her success continues.

Eight-year-old Rebecca Baird, a primary four pupil at Goldenhill Primary School, started swimming at the age of three and has gone from strength to strength in the pool.

Such is the manner of her progression, Rebecca has already caught the eye of Commonwealth gold medalist Ross Murdoch, whose father Graeme helped to coach her in her tentative years at Vale of Leven swimming club.

A gold medal performance at the West Dunbartonshire Swim Team Club Championships last weekend saw Rebecca swim outstandingly well in the aged eight-and-under category. A massive four gold medal haul was only outshone by the fact she managed to secure five personal best times.

Among her PBs was an magnificent individual medley swim, which took a staggering 33.91 seconds off of her previous best time.

Rebecca’s mum Samantha said: “I’m extremely proud of Rebecca’s achievements, it is amazing to watch her and how successful she has been.

“Her commitment and attitude towards swimming is fantastic, we don’t need to push her, she just wants to swim. She knows when she needs to practice and is more than happy to do so — even when we are on holiday.

“Rebecca loves Ross Murdoch and he has previously taken time out to talk to her. Ross is someone she looks up to and we went to see him at the Commonwealth Games, it was a fantastic experience.” Despite only joining the swimming club two years ago, Rebecca attained the club champion title for 2014. She has continued her form into the new season and she is set to retain her title as eight-and-under club champion 2015, on October 24.

Samantha added: “She has taken to the sport like a fish to water so to speak and her progress has been magnificent.

“We hope she continues her love for the sport over the years. She tried dancing and all these other things but swimming was the one she adapted too straight away.

“Despite having training a number of times a week she continues to love what she is doing. Even when she isn’t training Rebecca is down at the pool with her dad.

“We are all really proud of her and hope her success continues.”