SALISBURY Stingrays' Phil Muspratt clinched eight medals at a warm-up gala in preparation for the French European Masters.

The Jones & Co sponsored swimmer collected three gold and five silver medals to show for his efforts after a challenging day at the NER Championships.

Muspratt's arrival in Harrogate was the first time he saw competitive action since the British Championships in June.

The medals and pool time aided Muspratt's preparation for this weekend's championships in Nice.

Muspratt, who is brimming with hope, flies to France today (October 1) ahead of starting competitive action tomorrow (October 2).

Among thousands of swimmers in the south of France, he will take on the 200m, 100m and 50m freestyle and 100m and 50m backstroke.

"I cannot wait to swim at this competition," Muspratt said.

"It'll merely be an experience and, if I come home with a medal, I'll be over the moon as after such a long time out of the pool, I have no right to expect instant success and the times I were clocking in the past.

"I've big goals, but this is a process and a long road ahead, so those goals may only be reached in six to 12 months, but that's fine with me and I'm 100 per cent committed to that."