Colchester swimmer Lizzie Bellinger has achieved her lifelong dream after smashing a British Masters record stretching back 11 years.

The Colchester Swimming Club member, 24, clocked 29.58 seconds in a 50 metre butterfly event bettering the 29.63 secs set by Sharron Davies in 1992.

Achieved a dream - Colchester swimmer Lizzie Bellinger. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE

Jubilant Bellinger had already beaten the record once - creating waves in a time of 29.47 secs - but her heroics that time were not in an accredited competition.

This time, however, her feat counted as it came in the Essex County Masters Championship in Chelmsford.

The record was set in the 25-29 age group - a category Bellinger falls into because she turns 25 before December 31.

Bellinger, who also smashed the county record in the 100m butterfly, told the Evening Gazette: "This is something I've wanted for a long time so I was absolutely delighted."

Bellinger, who lives in Fingringhoe, is a PE teacher at Suffolk's Hadleigh High School

Published Tuesday, June 17, 2003

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