Britain 's sporting woes could finally be coming to an end, thanks to a new website which is using music to help swimmers improve their performances in the pool.

Music Kartel ( www.musickartel.com ) has over 4,000 songs available for download, categorised into different scenarios faced by competitors at training and before, during or after they do battle.

For example, a swimmer preparing for competition could download a selection of tunes, all designed to get him or her into the right frame of mind before they start the race.

The site has been developed by the Brackley-based Kartel Group, who have joined forces with a number of record labels to help promote their musicians and improve the nation's sporting performances at the same time.

Managing Director Simon Peters hopes to link up with the Amateur Swimming Association to help their 250,000 members fare better in competition. It may be too late for the World Championships in Melbourne next month, but could improve our medal tally at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing .

He said: “I think there is an obvious link between music and sport, and a lot of sportsmen and women listen to their favourite tunes to prepare for competition.

“But as yet there are no websites combining the two, so I approached several independent labels including Hospital Records, Kickin Records and Ninja Tune and asked them to provide some music for us.

“My goal is to have playlists from top sportsmen and women on the site, available to download so others can see what music inspires and motivates their sporting heroes.

“Hopefully they could download them, or the playlists we suggest, and use it to raise their own performance levels.”

Kartel are currently in negotiations with other record labels about adding their content to the site.

For more information, contact Richard Swancott at MarketCare PR on 01782 416371/07880 733138, or via email at richardswancott@marketcare.net .

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