Great Broughton swimmer Luke Greenbank has made the perfect start to his World Swimming Championships.

The swimmer has won each of the last two British Championships over 200m backstroke, and after missing out on selection for Rio, was making his first appearance at a major global championships in Budapest this morning.

The 19-year-old made the perfect start to his campaign at the Duna Arena, cruising through his heats, equalling a season’s best time of 1:57.67 to reach the semi-finals, tonight, ranked 10th.

He said: “That’s a season best. That’s all I wanted really, to get through to the semi. I’m over the moon with it.

“It’s part of my race tactics to build through the race and it felt really good.

“I think there’s more to come. I was just trying to concentrate on my own race and that seemed to work.

“For me there’s no pressure because I’m one of the youngsters and there’s not as much expectation on me.

“I think that’s really helped to get this experience and to not have the pressure is absolutely brilliant.

“I have put pressure on myself in the past and it hasn’t worked out well for me so this time I’m just relaxed and it’s come together.”

The former Cockermouth swimmer trains under Mel Marshall at the National Centre in Loughborough.

Greenbank is one of 14 members of the British squad making their first appearances at the world championships.

And for the teenage backstroker the fact that he is part of a new generation coming through has made it easier to cope with the demands of the meet.

He added: “It’s really good to have those people my age, going through the same thing.

“It’s their first world champs. That’s really worked well.”

Earlier this month, Greenbank bagged bronze for Great Britain at the 2017 Sette Colli International in Rome.

In April, Greenbank clocked 1:57.67 to retain the British 200m backstroke title in Sheffield but was shy of consideration target for the championships in Budapest this July.

But Greenbank’s win and his future potential meant he gained selection at the discretion of the GB head coach and national performance director.

Greenbank has been a part of the national Target Tokyo 2020 squad.

l You can help the next generation of young British swimmers by getting involved in SportsAid Week this September with five-time Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds OBE.

Find out more about how you can support the week of fun and fundraising by visiting www.sportsaid.org.uk/sportsaidweek