'Amazing...two Britons on the same podium'

But there was disappointment for 14-year-old diving star Tom Daley in Beijing. Adlington, 19, was first in the women's 400 metres final, narrowly beating American Katie Hoff in a fingertip finish. GB teammate Joanne Jackson took bronze in the same event. Adlington, whose winning margin was seven hundredths of a second, stepped from the pool at the aquatics centre the Water Cube and said: "It is just amazing to have two Britons on the same podium - incredible.

"My motivation was this medal hanging around my neck, but it hasn't sunk in. I am just over the moon. This is definitely the best British team we have ever had."

The result eclipsed the British swimming team's total results in the Athens Olympics in just one race. It means Britain's women now have two golds, after cyclist Nicole Cooke triumphed in the road race yesterday.

And it increases the chances of the British team meeting their 41-medal target which would be the best Olympic performance in more than 80 years.

On Thursday Adlington, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, takes part in the 800 metres freestyle - her strongest event - raising the possibility of following Dame Kelly Holmes as a double gold Olympian.

Adlington said: "I was really confident going into it, but it is now all about getting some recovery and getting ready for it."

She said she wanted to repeat the gold in London in 2012 - and said she would not be alone. "We have been getting stronger and stronger and we are proving that we will be a nation to look out for then," she said.

Fellow medallist Jackson 21, of Richmond, Yorkshire, said: "I was just pleased to get into the final, but to be on the podium is just amazing. I am so happy for both of us. It is great for British swimming."

Adlington's family, parents Steve and Kay and elder sisters Laura and Chloe, had to watch the race on television home when they lost £1,100 buying tickets on what turned out to be a fake internet booking site. They have now paid a second time over to see their daughter compete later this week.

Britain's last gold medal winner Anita Lonsbrough, 67, was at the Beijing Olympic pool to see Rebecca's surprise victory. Ms Lonsbrough,who won gold in Rome 1960, said: "I am delighted. It has been a long time coming. It is a relief." But Daley and his diving partner Blake Aldridge missed out on a medal when they finished last.

Adlington revealed that she tells herself before races: "Have fun, there's no point otherwise."

She has a penchant for Christian Louboutin shoes and her heroes outside sport are comedians Ricky Gervais and Peter Kay.
Jackson,who said she would most like to meet David Beckham, finished the race in 4:03.52s. She added: "I really didn't know what to expect. To get a medal a the Olympics - I'm overwhelmed." Her sister Nicole, who is also a top swimmer, said:"Everyone is always comparing us saying, ' If she did it, why can't I'. That sort of thing."

Private equity consultant Garry Wilson and his wife Anne from Harrogate were inside the Water Cube to see the gold and bronze medals won today.

Mr Wilson, 41, said: "When the British flags were raised, it was a very emotional moment. I hope we have many of those though, because it was fantastic."