A SWIMMING teacher is hanging up his whistle after 17 years of teaching thousands of Furness kids.

Paul Elwood, from Ulverston, has officially bid farewell to his post as head coach at Ulverston Amateur Swimming Club.

The 54-year-old first joined the club in 2002 when his son become interested in the sport.

This then led to him to take up the role of swimming coach for more than 16 hours a week as well as working full-time as a pharmacist.

He said: "I never thought I would have still been there 17 years later but it became a hobby of mine.

"My son became extremely good and was a British champion at one point so we both had a great love for the sport."

Mr Elwood, who coached entirely on a voluntary basis, worked as various different roles across his 17 years, including county head couch and north west regional performance coach.

He said:

"I did it all for the love of the sport.

"There's such a lot of buzz you get from coaching sport and Ulverston club particularly has been really successful.

"There's been a lot of national standard swimming across the years."

Mr Elwood said his collection of awards have been great career highlights for him.

"To receive the Heart of Ulverston Sports Volunteers Award in 2014 was amazing," he said.

"Also to win the Cumbria Sports Award Coach of the Year in the same year was great.

"Especially when I was up against coaches in all other sports too."

Despite this, however, Mr Elwood said he will miss the kids more than anything else.

"Seeing the looks on their faces when they achieve a national time or smash a personal best is definitely something I'll miss," he said.

"I'm sure I'll stay involved in some way though, it's not something you can walk easily away from when it's been such a huge part of my life."

Mr Elwood decided to hang up his whistle before the sport become a chore rather than a hobby.

"It was at that stage where I was still enjoying it," he said.

"But I thought if I carry on any more I wouldn't enjoy it which is why I do it in the first place.

"Plus both my kids have left home now so I thought it would be best to spend more time at home.

"There's an awful lot of good coaches at the club now so I know I'll be leaving them in more than capable hands."