HADDINGTON and District Swimming Club (HDSC) welcomed visitors from France last week as they contested the Hawkins/Mora Trophy.

The competition, which sees swimmers from AL Serres Castet Natation visit the town for a week every two years, while a team from Haddington make a biennial journey.

Away from the swimming pool, the French guests and their hosts tested themselves at Foxlake, and took part in a mini-Highland Games in Garvald.

There was also a tournament at North Berwick Bowling Club, where the youngsters took in a barbecue and disco, before Provost Ludovic Broun-Lindsay welcomed the French visitors in an address in their native tongue.

In the pool, the Haddington youngsters edged a hugely competitive meeting at the Aubigny Centre to win the trophy, which was presented at the farewell buffet, at Haddington RFC.

Paul Cameron, HDSC president, said: “The French Exchange is an important part of our club’s history and identity.

"Haddington has teenage swimmers whose interest ranges from swimming a couple of times a week for fitness, to those who train for twenty hours a week in the performance environment of East Lothian Swim Team.

"Our French exchange is a unique amongst swimming clubs in East Lothian, and we are very proud of the opportunities it gives all our members to use their sport to build lasting friendships, through showing Scottish hospitality at its best and, in turn, enjoying the generous hospitality of our partner club in Serres Castet.”