ROB MESSENGER, of Dover Lifeguards Swimming Club, won an age group title at the Masters National Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Messenger won the 18-24 years age group 50m breaststroke title in a time of 29.85secs.

He was unable to produce a personal best on the day after missing key parts of his training due to work commitments, but said: "I was happy with my time in the circumstances, but I know I can do better."

Messenger's time was good enough to ensure automatic qualification for next year’s Nationals and a place at the forthcoming Great Britain trials.

He added: "I feel I can make more time from my reaction time off the block and more from speeding up my turn, but overall I was happy with the way I swam.

"I would like to thank my coach, Lyndon Dunsbee, for setting an individual training regime to bring about this success."