The Welsh swimmer, classified as S4, set a new world mark of two minutes, 34.48 seconds.

It was a double bonus for Stephens as he also beat his Spanish rival and previous world record-holder Xavier Tores in the process.

"It's been my goal to beat him ever since I've known him," said Stephens.

"I improved today on my breaststroke, which is where I was able to beat Tores.

"I feel great about the result. I've made no major changes to my training programme, but I have been working on my speed."

A team of British swimmers are in Denmark to gain some competitive experience ahead of the British Championships next month.

Those championships at Pond's Forge in Sheffield will be the first chance the swimmers have to qualify for this year's Paralympics.