Jonathan Yeates (10) from Bolton-on-Dearne is celebrating after becoming the youngest swimmer to complete his Honours award at Dearneside Leisure Centre, which is managed by Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL).

The prestigious Honours award, which is a nationally recognised swimming achievement by BPL on behalf of the Swimming Teachers Association, took Jonathan eight months to complete.

To achieve the Honours award, Jonathan had to undergo various tasks that would challenge even the most confident of swimmers, including swimming 1,000 metres within a 20 minute time limit, retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool weighing anything up to 2kg, completing a back somersault finishing in a back layout position, sculling 10 metres on his back, head first and swimming fully dressed!

Jonathan has been swimming for seven years since his mother Jacqui took him in the toddler pool at the Leisure Centre for the first time, he now swims four times a week which includes training and competing at county level for the Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club.

Jonathan explains: "I really enjoy swimming, it is my favourite hobby. I was extremely happy to be awarded my Honours certificate and that I am the youngest person to complete the award at Dearneside. I've even beaten my brother who achieved his aged 12!"

Carol Haigh, swimming instructor for BPL, said: "Jonathan has done extremely well, completing the Honours award in only eight months and just days after his tenth birthday is a great achievement and we are all very proud of him. If Jonathan carries on swimming like he is, there is no doubt in my mind that he could eventually be one of the best in the country at his level."

Not only is Dearneside Leisure Centre celebrating Jonathan's achievements but also the recent opening of its new fitness suite, which boasts some of the best exercise equipment in the Borough. It offers all the usual fitness devices, including bikes, rowers, cross trainers and treadmills, as well as free weights and several LCD televisions that offer the latest programmes and music channels for members to enjoy!

The leisure centre is just one of BPL's venues to have benefited from a cash injection. Over £1m has been invested into further enhancing the facilities for the South Yorkshire people to enjoy.