British swimmers take gold and bronze in the same race as women's record is swept away after 48 years

The 19-year-old became the first British woman for 48 years to take Olympic swimming gold when she won the 400metres freestyle by a fingertip in a race where fellow Briton Jo Jackson took bronze.

Well known in the British team for her addiction to shoes, Rebecca had been promised any pair of her choice by her mother Kay if she qualified for the Olympics - she chose a £275 pair of kitten heels by Christian Louboutin.

Golden girl: Rebecca Adlington beams after winning gold in the 400m freestyle final in Beijing today

Now she is an Olympic champion she is planning to celebrate with still more designer footwear. '

I love shoes - I have well over 30 pairs,' she said. 'I have been promised a pair of Jimmy Choos if I won gold and my mum and dad have said I can have another pair of Christian Louboutins.'

Double joy: Adlington (right) with fellow Briton Joanne Jackson (left) who took bronze in the same race

Triumph: Adlington (left) and her team-mate Joanne Jackson celebrate after Adlington takes the gold in the women's 400m freestyle

It could be a costly few days for her parents because she still has two more events including her strongest, the 800m freestyle.

They will be at the poolside for that - despite having been victims of a ticket scam which cost them £1,100.

The couple, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, had tried to buy tickets from the website beijingticketing.com in January-and were told they would be delivered last month.

The site turned out to be a con and there were no tickets, leaving them to watch yesterday's triumph on TV at home.

Historic: Anita Lonsbrough with the Gold Medal she won in the 200 metres breaststroke at the Rome Olympics in 1960

But they have now secured seats through another sports agency and are flying out tomorrow.

Speaking from their home in Mansfield, adorned with Union Flags, Mrs Adlington mother said: 'When I saw her touch I think in all honesty that was the confirmation.

'I wasn't sure if she had got it until that moment and then I came from behind my cushion and hit the roof.'

Her father, a managing director of a steel company, said watching his youngest daughter take gold had been an "emotional" experience.

He said: 'It was amazing this morning. We had 18 of us all here and when she won it was fantastic.

'It's been an amazing experience. I think the most emotional bit was when they played the national anthem.

'At the end of the race we were all on our feet. Even her granddad, who was 80 a few weeks ago, was dancing round the living room. I've never seen him move like that.'

Britain had not won any women's Olympic medal in the pool since 1984 and it was the first gold since Anita Lonsbrough at Rome in 1960.

It was an emotional moment for Miss Lonsbrough, who was almost in tears at the pool side in Beijing, and said: 'It's been a long time. Well done, champ.'

Sign of the times: American president George Bush gestures from the crowd at the Water Cube