Hickman came within a whisper of a British record

Hickman took second place in the men's 100m butterfly, touching home in 51.13 seconds behind favourite Ian Crocker of the USA, who won in 50.18.

European silver medallist Robin Francis - at his first world event, came second in the men's 400m individual medley.

He timed four minutes 08.06.Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli won gold in 4:07.02.

Both Britons were delighted with the performances.

It is only just outside my best and that is just great as my main event of the 200m is still to come James Hickman

Manchester Aquatics swimmer Hickman said: "That is a good time for me.

"It is only just outside my best and that is just great as my main event of the 200m is still to come.

"I was always going to be chasing Crocker but I chased him down hard and managed to keep my swim together.

"The start was slower than I would have liked but I just concentrated on what I wanted to do and it brought me a silver medal."

Francis, of University of Bath, said: ""I felt really tired out there but I do leave with a World Championship silver medal.

I will have to raise my game for the 200m event and will get focused after a good rest Robin Francis

"My legs felt very weak and I felt broken at the halfway stage.

"My breaststroke brought me back into the race from seventh but my freestyle just did not feel good over the last leg.

"Ordinarily I would be looking to do that kind of time after a lot of hard work so because of that I am disappointed.

"I will have to raise my game for the 200m event and will get focused after a good rest."

Britain's small squad of five also saw teenager Cassandra Patten of Plymouth Leander in action in the fastest heat of the women's 800m freestyle.

Despite a strong start the youngster, in only her second international meet, struggled to keep up with the leaders and dropped from bronze medal contention to fifth place with a time of 8:28.73.

Mark Foster qualified joint fifth fastest for Saturday's final of the men's 50m freestyle when he posted a time of 21.86 in the semi-finals.

Alison Sheppard will also be in the finals after she won her semi-final of the women's 100m individual medley in 1:01.63 to qualify fourth fastest.