MEDAL-laden Hannah Bickerdike is awaiting ratification that could see her on top of the world.

York swimmer Bickerdike, 21, returned from the BT Swimming National Short-Course Disabled Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, with an armful of medals.

She won bronze in the 25m butterfly, silver in the 50m butterfly and gold in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events.

She also set two new national records on her way to claiming gold in the 100m and 200m individual medleys.

But in what could turn out to be her biggest prize of the lot, Bickerdike is also waiting to see if she actually set a new world record as she swam to gold in the 100m individual medley.

Bickerdike, who trains at Yearsley Swimming Pool, recorded a new national best time of 2m 58secs, which smashed her personal best by six seconds.

But she faces a nervous wait to see if she also set a world's best; her time has to be ratified by the International Paralympic Committee in Australia. A decision is expected around Christmas time.

Swimming at the same competition, fellow York swimmer Jane McDermott, also celebrated a successful tournament.

McDermott, 16, won silver medals in the 200m individual medley and in the 100m backstroke.

She also picked up bronze medals in the 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke as well as claiming fourth place in the 100m freestyle.

Last month, McDermott, representing Cerebral Palsy England and Wales in the Lindburg Trophy, an international tournament staged in Belgium, also won a gold, silver and two bronze medals.

Theresa Carr, 11, who has cerebral palsy and trains at Yearsley Grove, also savoured swimming success competing in the Yorkshire Regional Junior Gala at Ponds Forge.

Carr's performances in the pool saw her qualify for the BT Swimming National Junior Championships for the 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke disciplines.

Updated: 09:06 Wednesday, November 14, 2001