BOLTON’S Emma Saunders is on course to upgrade last year’s domestic 50m backstroke bronze after storming into today’s British Gas Swimming Championships final in Manchester.

The 16-year-old put the disappointment of defeat in Monday’s 200m freestyle semi-final behind her by coming through the 50m backstroke heats as the fastest qualifier yesterday – touching in 29.34 seconds before clocking a personal best 28.89 in the semi-final.

“I am really pleased with that swim,” said Saunders, the European Junior 50m backstroke champion who won two relay medals at the Commonwealth Games.

“I am just trying to step up from juniors to seniors and challenge the big guys so I am really pleased with what I have done so far. It is really exciting to compete against the girls I have been on the England team with at the Commonwealth Games and I can’t wait to keep competing against them. That was a good time and I can’t wait for the final now.”

" The nation’s leading energy supplier British Gas is the principal partner of British Swimming, and is supporting the sport at all levels, from grass roots to our elite athletes. Visit www.britishgas.co.uk/s wimming