COLCHESTER'S international swimmer Laura Stephens says she was happy with the technical improvement she made at the European Short Course Championships, in Glasgow.

The former Colchester Swimming Club member took on some of the world's best swimmers, at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Stephens, 20, reached the women's 200 metres butterfly final where she finished fourth in a time of 2:06.05.

She also competed in the women's 50m and 100m butterfly in Glasgow.

It was another important event for the international butterfly swimmer, who is hoping to compete at the Olympic Games that take place in Tokyo, next year.

Stephens told the Gazette: "Glasgow was a really fun experience, getting to race in front of a home crowd.

"I was happy to see that technically I have improved a lot on my turns and skills.

"I was a bit disappointed with the 200 fly coming fourth - obviously a medal was my aim but still I have a lot to learn from this race and it was a great challenge to be in that final.

"Now I'm really looking forward to getting back to training and putting in the work before the Olympic trials, taking the things that I have learnt from Europeans and hopefully improving them before April."

Stephens produced a gutsy swim, after reaching the 200m fly final.

The former Colchester County High School for Girls pupil put up a great challenge, narrowly missing out on a medal having earlier won her heat in 2:07.14.

Stephens missed out in the 100m butterfly final by just one place after clocking 58.86

The Plymouth Leander-based swimmer also clocked 26.84 to finish eighth, in her 50m butterfly heat.

Great Britain ended the week on 11 medals, three of those gold, which is the nation’s best tally at the European Short Course Swimming Championships since 2003.

That total saw the team finish the week fifth on the medal table.