Three Olympic swimming hopefuls admit they are always faced with the tough choice between friends or hours of training needed to help fulfil their ambitions.

Brighton Swimming Club trio Amy Kent, Kirsty Hedge and Claire Manton admit the temptation to socialise with school friends at weekends and during holidays has to be overcome to make the grade.

Amy, 14, and Kirsty, 13, will be going to Sheffield at the end of the month to compete in the Great Britain Olympic team trials and if successful will be picked to represent their country at Sydney this September.

With most of the swimmers in their late teens and early 20s, it is unlikely the two girls will be selected this time around, but they are a good bet to make the squad in 2004.

That though means the demanding 12 hours per week training schedule will have to be maintained and even increased if they are to realistically force their way into the reckoning.

Kirsty, who lives in Littlehampton and joined Brighton from Worthing five months ago, said: "It's really hard to choose between friends and training. I always choose swimming and it often annoys my friends, but it's the only way I'm going to get better.

"The training at Brighton is very tough and that's why I joined. They've got some good swimmers and a top-class training programme. I'm only beginning to get used to the demanding schedule."

Kirsty will be competing in the 50m breaststroke after clocking a time of 35.35sec long course at the Southern Counties Champion-ships at Crystal Palace, well inside the Olympic trial qualifying time, while Southwick-based Amy will take part in the 50m butterfly after making a time of just under 30.78 long course.

Amy, who recently met Olympic star Karen Pickering, would rather sacrifice her social life in an attempt to follow in the footsteps of the former Hove swimmer.

She said: "I met Karen a few weeks ago at a gala. She was very nice and wished me luck. It has always been my dream to reach the Olympics. I see the swimmers on television and often wish I was one of them.

"I'm very excited about the trials in Sheffield. It will be a wonderful experience and I'm hoping by the time I am 18 I will fulfil my ambition."

Claire, 12, who lives in Hove, is rated by Brighton coach Nigel Carrucan as the hardest working swimmer in Sussex. Already Claire is ranked in the top two or three in a number of different categories and will be competing in seven competitions at the National Age Group finals in Coventry next month.

Each event she wins, Claire will be ranked national champion in her age group at that category and Carrucan said her times are already on a par with those being clocked by 15-year-olds.

She will be competing in the 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

Amy and Kirsty will also be competing. Amy is entering the 200m individual medley, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle, while Kirsty will be swimming in the 100m breaststroke.

Ross Bish, 12, of Brighton, has qualified for the 100m freestyle.

It takes high fitness and skill to compete in several events and Claire admits: "I do work hard on my fitness and if I'm going to make the Olympics in four years it's going to require even more hard work. I've given up horseriding, one of my favourite interests, to dedicate more time to my swimming and going out with friends is pretty rare."

Carrucan, who has introduced arguably the most demanding training programme in the county, is tipping the girls to make their goals, especially as over the next four years they will become physically stronger.

He said: "Strength will become the key. Over the next few years, they will develop into much stronger swimmers and so long as they remain dedicated they've got an excellent chance of forcing themselves into the Olympics.

"I'll be increasing their training with more hours in the pool and extra land training. Making it to the top requires an enormous effort. Only those that work the hardest make the grade.

"All three of these girls are exceptional talents.

Carrucan said: "Going to the trials will give them terrific insight. They will be racing against the top swimmers in the country and it will make them know what to expect when we take it seriously in four years."