Troon teenager Hannah Watson is proof that sheer determination pays off.

The 15-year-old Marr College student is a star swimmer in North Ayrshire Swimming Club’s Senior Squad and trains as much as 10 times a week.

She has competed in numerous galas and competitions and more recently, swam at the Scottish Nationals in Inverness.

When s1troon spoke to Hannah’s mum, Emma Watson, the talented teen had been training at 6am that morning and was due for another session after school – impressive for a girl of her age.

Emma said: “She’s training before and after school, once on Saturday, twice on Sunday and she’s got her standard grades coming up in June.

“I’m hoping she does well; I’m sure she will with all the effort she puts in.

“That’s the benefits of swimming; you end up with good time management!

“You’ve really got to work hard if you want to do anything.

“If she’s chilling out, she’ll watch a movie or study but she doesn’t really have time for anything else.”

Hannah’s first venture into the water was before she could even walk.

Emma said: “I took her when she was a baby to the mother and baby groups and it just sort of progressed from there.

“When she was 10 she joined a swimming club.

“I think it was just something that she enjoyed.

“She’s just one of those kids that try really hard.”

Sharon Welsh, head coach at North Ayrshire Swimming Club, told s1troon how competitive the sport is and the amount of commitment that’s required of young professional swimmers.

Sharon, who is based at the centre in Largs, said: “She’s only been with this club about eight months but she seems to be doing exceptionally well.

“She’s fantastic and she’s very dedicated - you would have to be to thrive at that distance.

“Her mum drives her all the way from Troon to Largs, which just shows how dedicated she is.

“She came from a club in Troon and she’s gone from being a small fish in a big pond to being a bigger fish in a smaller pond.

“She’s reaping the benefits because this is a smaller club.

“She’ excelled and is now swimming at a higher level.”

So, what are Hannah’s plans for the future?

Emma said: “I don’t think she'll go on to swim for the Olympics – you have to be exceptionally good to do that but I know that she is looking at going to an American university and hoping that swimming might get her a scholarship.

“She doesn’t know what she wants to do yet but she’s quite into health and fitness, so we’ll see.”