Brighton are the county's top club for the third year in a row.

They underlined their superiority with victory in the third and final Sussex Championship meet at Crawley.

Brighton were also-rans in 2000 with just 29 wins but this year totalled 1,036 points. Crawley were runners-up (806) and Shiverers (Hove) third (628.5).

Brighton's female swimmers made sure of the No.1 spot at the final event.

Amy Kent broke the 16-year-old 200m freestyle all-course county record held by Olympian Karen Pickering, clocking 2.07min.29sec.

Holly White claimed a magnificent seven individual victories and was involved in two relay successes.

Star performer Claire Manton added two more titles to finish top of the individual-wins table with a staggering 21 victories.

Nigel Currucan, the coach who has masterminded Brighton's rise, said: "It has taken a long time to make the club successful again. Brighton were nowhere when I first came six years ago.

"I wanted to change the mentality so that swimmers had high expectations and worked hard to achieve them. That is how it is getting now.

"Our swimmers have done well at this year's event. They have come on in leaps and bounds. It's been a good year. Our swimmers peaked at the right time.

"But there is still a long way to go yet in tapping their potential."

Crawley led the way in male events.

Ben Hutchinson broke the 15-year-old county 200m senior freestyle record previously held by international Steve Akers, the former Shiverer, clocking 1min.53.62sec.

He set a new best in the senior 50m freestyle (23.68sec) and also helped himself to the 17 years' 100m backstroke crown.

Clubmate Mark Harrington, an Olympic triallist, took his total of titles to 11 by winning the 100m and 200m junior freestyle, and the 15 years' 100m backstroke. His 200m swim (1min.57.64sec) was a county record.

Jack Smith (Brighton) headed the list of male winners with 12 individual titles.

His latest successes were in the senior and junior 400m individual medleys, the 50m junior breaststroke and the 15 years' 100m breaststroke.

Jack Smith (Bognor), same name but different competitor, claimed the nine years' 100m individual medley.

Shiverers, who have emerged from the doldrums, claimed the overall age group title.

Coach Ian Newell said: "I'm pleased. We're going from strength to strength thanks to a lot of hard work."

Brother and sister Stuart and Charlotte Wooliscroft helped the club clinch top spot by half a point from Crawley.

Stuart won the ten years' 400m individual medley and 200m breaststroke, while Charlotte secured the 13 years' 100m backstroke.

Shiverers have clinched promotion to Division One of the National Speedo League.