The GB coxless four are favourites for gold at Dorney Lake

The crew of Steve Williams, Peter Reed, Alex Partridge and Andy Hodge made it 22 wins in a row after clocking five minutes 53.45 seconds.

Gloucestershire rower Zac Purchase set the fastest time in the heats of the lightweight men's sculls.

Matthew Wells and Stephen Rowbotham won their heat in the men's double sculls.

Annie Vernon and Anna Bebington also moved to the semi-final after finishing second in the women's double sculls behind the Chinese crew.

But there was a surprise when Alan Campbell, one of the favourites for the men's single sculls, finished last in his heat.

It later emerged the Coleraine rower had been suffering from a cold but British team officials expect him to recover in time for his repechage - a second chance to qualify for the semi-final - on Tuesday.

Illness also affected Tom James, who caught a bacterial infection and was competing in the men's pairs with Colin Smith.

They finished last in their heat as did Baz Moffat and Jessica-Jane Eddie in the women's pairs.

Antonia Van Deventer will also be heading to the repechage after she finished fourth in her heat for the lightweight women's single sculls.