Loughborough swimmers opened their account on the first evening of racing at the British Championships/Commonwealth Trials with an substantial medal haul and impressive liftetime best strike rate.

Olympic medallist and World Record Holder, Joanne Jackson, battled with acute respiratory problems to take bronze in the 200m freestyle (1:58.93) and secure her berth on the England Commonwealth Team with teammate Robert Bale also securing his place on the team with a lifetime best of 3:51.58 and a bronze medal winning swim in the men's 400m freestyle.

World Champion and World Record Holder,Liam Tancock, produced an impressive semi final time of 24,52 to set the fastest time of the 50m backstroke semi finalists, while Scott Hathaway ( 26.38), James Lovatt (26.87) and Joe Canlan Shaw (27.14) all swam to lifetime bests to progess to tomorrow evening's final.

Amy Smith capitalized on a blistering start to be the fastest qualify for the 50m butterfly final (27.34) where she will be joined by Jodie Le Resche (28.30).

Rising star, Kate Hutchinson, raced to a lifetime best of 2:16.28 to place 6th in the 200m IM final while Kate Weaver and Katie Raybould sprinted to lifetime best 32.91 and 33.90 respectively in the 50m breaststroke; Weaver securing a final placing.

Joe Roebuck, who recently dropped a 45kgs weight on his hand during an intensive lifting session, demonstrated his resolve by swimming to bronze and a lifetime best of 1:57.38 in the 200m butterfly; this time being within the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard.

The men's 4 x 100m freestyle quartet of Tom Laxton (52.53), James Lovatt (51.43), Andy Donaldson (52.00) and Andy Bushell (51.32) produced  a fine team effort to take the men's 4 x 100m freestyle relay title.

A great start to the meet.....with more FAST SWIMMING to come