Record-breaker Alison heading for Japan

Alison Sheppard booked her place at July's World Championships in Japan after breaking her own British and Commonwealth 50 metres freestyle record at the British Championships in Manchester.

The 28-year-old was well inside the qualification requirement of 25.52 seconds for Japan after taking 0.05secs off her own record and setting a new mark of 25.07.

Teenager Rebecca Cooke became the second swimmer to secure her place for the World Championships when she shattered her own British 1500m record by almost seven seconds. Her time of 16mins 21.75secs was close to 21 seconds faster than second-placed Nathalie Brown.

Jaime King also recorded a British best when the 24-year-old Bath University swimmer clocked 2mins 28.10secs in the 200m breaststroke.

But her time was a tantalising 0.97secs outside that required for selection for the World Championships.

In the 100m backstroke, Barnet's Sarah Price recorded a new British and Commonwealth record with 1min 01.36secs.

But she must do it all again today when she knows she must win the final to book her place for Japan.

Paul Palmer completed a surprise freestyle double when he added the 100m to Tuesday's 400m triumph.