Long won two gold medals and a silver at the Sydney Paralympics

The event at Pond's Forge is one of just two competitions where athletes can set qualifying times to earn themselves selection for the strong British squad.

"They have got to stand up and be counted this week, the pressure is on them," said Tim Reddish, director of disability swimming.

"They have got to go out and hit personal bests.

"I think a lot of British records could go, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were some world records too."

Swimmers who have set their sights on competing in more than one event only have to hit the qualifying time in one.

They then put forward their name to the selectors who decide whether to enter them in the other races based on their medal chances.

Lincolnshire swimmer Robert Welbourn is bidding to go to Athens and compete in his first major international championship.

The 17-year-old set a European record in the class S10 200m freestyle at the Denmark Open last month.

Anthony Stephens (S4) and Giles Long (S8) who both smashed world records in Danish waters will also be in action in Sheffield.

The championships in Sheffield which start on 8 April are also the Olympic trials for Britain's able-bodied swimmers.

Paralympic hopefuls who do not qualify this week will get a second chance at the Disability Sport England Long Course Championships in May.