Despair turned to terrific excitement for the Elizabeth College relay teams at the weekend.

Following initial fears that their chance to compete at the English Schools Swimming Association Team Nationals finals would be scuppered due to adverse weather conditions, they eventually grabbed their unexpected opportunities with both hands.

As master in charge Brain Allen explained: ‘To reach a national swimming final is a goal that makes all the training and years of hard work worthwhile, so you can imagine how the team felt when they heard the announcement that Birmingham Airport was closed due to snow.

‘They were devastated.’