Shifnal swimming couple make waves
A husband-and-wife from Shifnal rolled back the years as both were crowned European swimming champions.
Steve and Diana Nash have no shortage of pedigree in the pool, having represented Great Britain in the Olympics and won medals at Commonwealth Games during the 1970s.
And they proved their competitive spirit still burns brightly four decades on, by claiming gold medals in the recent European Masters Championship, which took place at the London Aquatics Centre.
Steve, 60, took victory in the 200 metre butterfly for 60-64-year-olds, while Diana, 61, was crowned champion in the 100m backstroke in the same age group.
They then teamed up to help their club, Birmingham's Camp Hill Edwardians, to silver in the mixed medley relay for teams with a combined age of 240 years and over.
Steve said: "It was an amazing experience and so very exciting to compete against the best veterans in Europe.
"There were just under 10,000 swimmers competing over five days, with ages ranging from 25 to 99. It was the biggest Masters event in England for more than 20 years.
"So as you might imagine, it was quite the experience."
Swimming has played a major role in shaping the course of their lives.
They first met while competing for Britain in the 1970s and then married after meeting again 20 years later while competing in a Masters event.
Neither was international success a new experience for the pair, who both claimed medals while representing Britain during their heyday.
Diana won bronze at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and then competed at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Steve was, meanwhile, part of the British quartet which claimed bronze in the 4x100 medley relay at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch.
He also took silver at the European Championships two years later. However, their wins in London came after a break of more than a decade from competition.
Steve explained: "We took a rest from the sport and quite enjoyed it. But once we started swimming again for Camp Hill, we got the bug again.
"Soon we were training three or four times-a-week. I wouldn't say we went to London with any aims of winning a gold medal but we certainly took it seriously.
"The 200m butterfly race, which I won, was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I'm still not quite sure how I managed to finish. Deep down, I still think I'm 25. It was hugely satisfying."
The pair spent a large chunk of their time training for the event at Telford and Wrekin College, where they are both members.
Next on the agenda is the UK Masters later this year while neither has ruled out an attempt to retain their European crown when the event is held again in two years time.
Steve said: "It will all depend on where it is held and what happens between now and then, you never know how fit you are going to be.
"The competition is important to us but there is also a big social element to it now. We met friends in London we hadn't seen for the best part of 40 years.
"The fitness is key too – I lost more than two stone while training for the championships and getting fit was a huge incentive. If nothing else, it has made us feel healthy."
