Dive star Tom back in Southend

Both divers are competing in the British Gas National Cup diving event which takes place at Southend Swimming and Diving Centre between 28th and 30th January.

The newly formed pairing of Waterfield and Daley will make their public debut on Saturday as British Diving continues its search for the most competitive team for the London 2012 Olympics.

They have spent the last month preparing their new Synchro diving routine and will be looking to impress both the judges and National Performance Director Alexei Evangulov.

Waterfield, who won Olympic silver with Leon Taylor in the Athens 2004 games, is excited to be pairing up with Daley and hopes the pair can make an instant impact.

He said: "I can't wait to get in and compete now. We've had some really good training sessions and I think if we can get some good entries into the water our scores should be pretty high.

"We've been paired together because of how consistent our dives are. Individually we can perform some of the hardest dives and secure good entries.

"We are also well known on the diving circuit internationally and this could have an advantage for us with the judges."

Waterfield and Daley also have a fierce rivalry in the 10m Platform Individual event and the 16-year old from Plymouth will be keen to win back the title he lost to Waterfield in 2010.

British Diving has a wealth of young talent coming through its ranks and competitors like 14-year-olds Alicia Blagg and Grace Reid will be aiming to earn a place on the senior British team.

Olympian Nick Robinson-Baker will be aiming to dominate the Springboard events and is entered in the 1m, 3m and 3m Synchro events.

He will be pushed all the way by double World Junior Champion Jack Laugher, who has shown promise throughout 2010.

But one of the closest events of the weekend promises to be the women's 10m Platform, with Tonia Couch, Brooke Graddon and Monique Gladding all striving for glory from the top board.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture, Councillor Derek Jarvis, said: "I am delighted to welcome British Swimming back to our new pool and diving centre.

"The British Gas National Cup is a very prestigious event and it will provide the people of Southend with a marvellous opportunity to see our top divers in action."

Tickets for the three-day event will be available on the door at SSDD. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment as there will be limited seating available.

Adult day passes cost £3.00, a child's (under-16) day pass costs £ 2.00, event passes covering all three days of competition cost £7.00 and child's event passes cost £5.00.

For further details contact British Swimming Media Officer Gemma Field on 01509-632238, 07917-726431 or e-mail gemma.field@swimming.org