LAURA Stephens claimed two medals and smashed her personal best after shining at the British Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The Colchester Swimming Club member, who is now based at Plymouth Leander, won silver in the 200 metres butterfly in an impressive new personal best (PB) time of 2:07.96.

The time ranks the talented 19-year-old in the world’s top eight.

It was the first time that Stephens has swum under 2:09 and she was only 0.07 seconds off the consideration time for the World Championships.

However, British Swimming can select a maximum of eight wildcard picks for the event, which takes place in South Korea, this summer.

Stephens also captured a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly final, after clocking a time of 58.82.

Swansea’s Alys Thomas secured both the 100m and 200m butterfly crowns.

Stephens had earlier warmed up for her main events by finishing fourth in the 50m butterfly final, finishing in 26.95s.

The former Colchester County High School for Girls pupil will be pleased with her efforts at the British Championships, as the run up to next year’s Tokyo Olympics continues.

Colchester SC sisters Martha and Ellie Duley were also in action at the Championships, along with club member Sophie Freeman who is now based in Plymouth.

Freeman, 15, competed in the same senior 200m butterfly final as Stephens, finishing seventh in 2:13.43 (PB).

She also won the junior 50m butterfly final (27.96), swam another PB in her 100m fly transitional final and also competed in the 100m freestyle, junior 200m freestyle and 200m backstroke finals.

The best swimmers from across the UK took part in the event at the Tollcross International Pool, in Glasgow.