Melksham swimming starlet Rachel Williams says she has fulfilled a dream after qualifying for the Great Britain team and is now targetting further glory in the months ahead.

The 15-year-old Corsham School pupil was chosen for the national side after a fine swim at the British Championships in Sheffield on Monday, where she twice smashed her personal best in the 100m backstroke to finish second in her age group by just 0.02 seconds.

The time also placed her a remarkable 14th out of all the female competitors in attendance, and Williams, who will now represent GB at the European Junior Championships in Croatia in July, could not hide her delight at her accomplishment.

“I’m over the moon,” she said.

“My aim was just to try and get to the European Trials but we always thought it was a bit of a long shot.

“It’s a really big deal and I’m fulfilling a dream to be able to swim for Great Britain.”

What makes the achievement even greater is that her specialist event is the 200m, which she competed in after the Wiltshire Times went to press on Thursday, and she says all the unsociable training is now worthwhile.

“To do so well in the 100m was a little unexpected,” said Williams, who is a member of the Trowbridge Amateur Swimming Club.

“It’s a lot of hard work to do eight two-hour sessions a week at Bath University.

“It can be difficult getting out of bed some mornings and quite tiring, but now it is worth it.”

After the result, Williams paid tribute to coach Lisa Bates and former mentor Bernie Nicol, who tragically passed away last December after suffering a heart attack.

“I’d just like to thank Lisa so much for everything she’s done,” she said.

“It’s just amazing to work with her, we get on so well.

“Bernie coached me since I was six years old and was the first one to really spot my talent for swimming.

“He was always there for me whether in early morning training or competitions around the country and was a massive help.

“He believed in me so much and I owe him a lot for what is happening now.”