Fran Halsall acknowledged her debt to former coach Bill Sweetenham after finishing second in the 100m butterfly in Manchester.

The five-time European medallist, who had ankle surgery in December, burst into tears moments after clocking 58.99 seconds at the British Championships.

"This is a testament to what Bill Sweetenham did years ago," she said.

"To go a 58.99 when six weeks ago I couldn't even stand on the blocks and dive in, I am really proud of myself.

"It shows if you believe in what you are doing and keep confidence in yourself you can do anything."

Both Halsall and the race winner Ellen Gandy were part of Sweetenham's Smart Track programme.

Halsall was referring to Sweetenham's inspirational influence on a generation of young British swimmers.

It's so emotional. It's been so hard for me the past few months Fran Halsall

Along with 11 others, including Lizzie Simmonds, Jazmin Carlin, Jemma Lowe and Jess Dickons, Halsall and Gandy trained at Sweetenham's camps in Mexico and the USA at the age of 12-13.

For Halsall, the result is a timely boost as she seeks to qualify for the World Championships in July and it was the reward for her heavy training during the last three weeks.

"I'm so emotional. It's been so hard for me the past few months," said Halsall. "Coming into this I knew I wasn't in as much form as I usually am so it was really difficult trying to get my head around what was going on."

Halsall, who became the only Briton to claim five medals at a single European Championships in Budapest last summer, will have another chance to claim the second berth at the ASA National Championships in Sheffield in June.

Gandy continued the form which brought her European and Commonwealth medals last year, producing a controlled swim to touch in 57.68 seconds, securing her place for the trip to Shanghai.

It definitely helps being able to get the ticket to Shanghai Hannah Miley

The 19-year-old, who has bloomed under Rohan Taylor in Melbourne, said: "I'm really happy with it. I wanted to go 59, 58, 57 from heats to finals and I know my coach will be happy.

"I wasn't looking at what anyone else was doing. I knew I had it in me to come back hard so I wanted to get out as fast as I can."

Hannah Miley also qualified for Shanghai following a storming final 100m to win the 200m individual medley race in 2:12.01secs.

The European bronze medallist had been sixth after the butterfly leg but ramped up her work-rate in the breaststroke and freestyle to touch two seconds ahead of Sophie Allen.

"It definitely helps being able to get the ticket to Shanghai," she said.

"It takes the pressure off for the rest of the week had having to try and qualify.

"It means for the rest of the week I can enjoy it and relax, just take each day as it comes."

In the 100m backstroke semi-finals, Gemma Spofforth and Lizzie Simmonds - European gold and silver medallists respectively - were quickest while Liam Tancock, Kate Haywood and Robbie Renwick are all through to their respective finals.

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