Epsom District Swimming Club is to join the Guildford City Swimming Club’s, ASA Swim21 Hub, when University of Surrey’s new Surrey Sports Park 50m pool opens in mid-April.

Swimmers selected by the Epsom-based club will benefit from two integrated training sessions per week, swimming with GCSC high performance squads, with Epsom coaches working alongside the GCSC staff.

The initiative is designed to contribute to raising performance standards in swimming in Surrey, and follows the guidelines laid down by the Amateur Swimming Association, which have supported the move.

Both clubs will remain independent, but will work closely together and share training plans and concepts.

Epsom District Swimming Club chairman Leigh Atkinson said: “GCSC Swim21 Hub offers us the opportunity to participate in high-performance training in the newly built Surrey Sports Park 50m facility.

“Working with Guildford City will be of immense value in the further development of our own swimming and coaching team.”