BOLTON’S Emma Saunders admits she does not have time to dwell on her disappointment at missing out on the podium at the British Gas Swimm i n g C h a m p i - onships yesterday – vowing to get straight back on the horse in Manchester.

The 16-year-old, pictured, who collected relay silver and bronze at last October’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi, touched home in 56.10 seconds in the 100m freestyle – good enough for fifth place as gold went to world silver medallist Fran Halsall.

That was a full 0.25 slower than her personal bestwhichwould have seen her squeeze onto the podium, leaving the Manchester Aquatics flyer to rue what might have been.

But it is far from being all doom and gloom as Saunders, had collected a bronze in the 50m backstroke the previous day.

Saunders is adamant that despite failing to find her way onto the 100m podium, she is desperate to avoid missing out on a trip to Peru for the World Youth Championships this summer.

“I am a bit disappointed to be honest because I was feeling quite good heading into the final,” said Saunders.

“But I will have to come back from this now and gee myself up because I have still go the qualifying time for the world youths this week so that is a real positive.

“I have the 50m freestyle and I just want to come back and give everything I can in that and see how far I can get.”

Saunders’ hopes of booking her place at this summer’s World Championships in Shanghai were always slim – needing to carve more than a second off her personal best to do so.

"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/ swimming.