Richmond's Nicola Jackson swam brilliantly in the 200m freestyle to lead all the way and break the British record clocking the third fastest time in the world this year at the Scottish open long course championships in Glasgow, the fourth and final qualifying event for the World championships in Japan next month, writes ERIC WILKINSON.

She set off at a very fast pace going through the 100m mark in a tremendous 58.54secs and then gritted her teeth and cutting down on her breathing, put her head down and stormed home to break the record and qualify for that event in Japan.

Her time of 1min 59.32secs beat the figures which Karen Pickering (Ipswich) set in Manchester just three weeks ago after it had previously stood for 19 years.

Furthermore, Nicola's time was 00.04secs quicker than the time recorded by the gold medal winner at the Olympics last year.

Nicola was also first in the 100m butterfly and third in the 200m in a previous best time and immediately afterwards was also third in the 50m butterfly. She crowned a marvellous few days by passing her driving test at her first attempt this week.

The British team leaves next Thursday for a training camp in Hong Kong, they then go to Japan following which they fly to Perth for the Australian open championships. On their return they go straight to Norwich for the British short course championships.

There are 27 swimmers in the team and 14 staff. The assistant manager is Brenda Bland (Hartlepool) and as a result of Nicola's achievement, her Derwentside coach, Martin McNulty, is on the coaching staff.

There were several other good local performances at Glasgow. Chris Wilson (Durham Aqua) finished sixth in the men's 200m breaststroke in 2:23.75 to break the Scottish junior record. Newcastle had several finalists, Chris Cook was runner-up in the 200m breaststroke and fourth in the 100m setting a Twin Counties record; Sarah Whewell was second in the women's 200m individual medley; Julie Fort got the bronze medal in the 400m individual medley and was fifth in the 100m and 200m backstroke breaking the NE Counties record in the latter and Darren Wigg was fifth in the 200m butterfly and sixth in the 200m individual medley.

Durham Aqua's Stephanie Proud broke the NE Counties junior women's record when winning the girls 13 years 100m backstroke by five seconds during the NE Counties age group championships at Sheffield last weekend. She also finished first by eight seconds in the 200m backstroke and won the 400m freestyle. Her club mate Chris Alderton took four titles, 14yrs 100m and 200m breaststroke, 400m and 1500m freestyle. Another member, Tara Johnson, scored a hat-trick in the 15yrs 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle. Doubles were gained by Samantha Cook (Durham Aqua), 12yrs 400m and 800m freestyle; Natasha Crawley (Middlesbrough) 15yrs 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley and Andrew Thirlwell (Newcastle) 16yrs 100m backstroke and 200m freestyle.

Chris Alderton is set for another successful time when the second half of the championships are staged at Leeds this weekend where he is favourite for another four titles, 14yrs 100m freestyle; 200m individual medley; 100m and 200m butterfly. Danielle Berry (Newcastle) has the fastest entry times in three events, 13yrs 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m butterfly. Double pole positions are held by Stephanie Proud and Andrew Thirlwell. Also among the quickest qualifiers are Angie Winstanley-Smith (Sedgefield); Karl Clifton (Newcastle); Abby Johnson and Chris Wilson.

l TWO of the region's best young swimmers have been selected to represent Great Britain in the European Youth Olympics (EYOD) next month.

Crook's Chris Wilson, 16, will compete in the 200m breaststroke while 12-year-old Stephanie Proud of Durham has been chosen to take part in the 100m backstroke.

Also in the squad is Gemma Ferguson of North Shields who will be competing in the 100m hurdles.

Current senior British Olympians to have won medals at past EYODs include Dwain Chambers, Sue Rolph and Karina Bryant.