Tancock was over three-tenths of a second quicker than the old record

Exeter swimmer Liam Tancock has told BBC Radio Devon about his recent successes and his hopes for this summer's Olympics in Beijing.

Tancock set a new world record for the 50m men's backstroke at the Olympic trials in Sheffield two weeks ago.

He then went on to win four medals at the World Championships in Manchester.

"It's been an exciting time for me breaking the world record and coming away from the World Championships with four medals from four events," he said.

The 22-year-old took gold in the 100m backstroke, silver in the 50m backstroke and the 200m individual medley, and bronze in the 100m individual medley, as well as competing in the GB 400m men's medley team which came fifth at the World Short Course Championships.

The Exeter swimmer also set a stunning new European record in the 100m individual medley semis in Manchester.

My recent success are a stepping stone towards Beijing Devon's Liam Tancock

Speaking about his world record, which he set over 50m in the 200m backstroke at the Olympic trials in Sheffield, Tancock said he went in with a plan.

"I sat down and talked to my coach a few months before and came up with a race plan, and all the things which were coming up in the Olympic trials.

"We realised my main focus was going to be the 100m backstroke at the Olympics."

But he went on to say he thinks there will be a lot of competition to break his new world record.

"I do think a lot of people will go for that target. A lot of people were queuing up behind the old Olympic time - including me."

The Exeter swimmer also said he sees the recent events and wins as a path to being at his best for the Olympic games this August.

"The meeting that's just gone, and my recent success, are a stepping stone towards the Olympics.

"It's all part of a process of getting to Beijing."