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RICHMOND'S Jo Jackson came within a fingertip of snatching World Championship silver in a dramatic 400m freestyle final in Manchester last night.

The 21-year-old from led Romanian Alina Potec for all but the final five metres of the eight length race but had to settle for bronze as her European rival dug deep in the final few strokes to snatch second place.

Jackson touched home in an impressive 4.01.11 minutes with Potec just six hundredths of a second quicker in a race where Australian Kylie Palmer stole the show to win in a new championship record time.

Despite her impressive swim Jackson - who qualified for the Beijing Olympics in 400m freestyle at last week's British Championships - was forced to fend off Australia's Bronte Barratt's advances during the final few metres to hold on to bronze.

"I think that emphasises why I want to make this my main event," said Jackson, who clocked 4.02.86 minutes in yesterday's heats.

"I felt I could have gone quicker but I did get a medal which I am really pleased about.

"I would have liked to have got a better one but I am really tired and I gave it 100 per cent of my effort.

"I am happy because the crowd were so good to me. I don't think I would have got this medal if it wasn't for them.

"Down the last 25 metres, I tried so hard and that's all I could give at the end of the day."

Jackson won silver in the 200m freestyle relay on Wednesday along with Caitlin Mc- Clatchey, Rebecca Adlington and Mel Marshall.

But Jackson admitted her individual success tastes even sweeter.

"It's brilliant to get one for myself even if the relay medal was fantastic," she added.

"It does feel a bit more special.

"I was really pleased with what I did this morning to qualify and I felt really good going into the final.

"It was hard going but the crowd helps you out so much and it allows you to keep going.

"It is my last swim before I go for a break and then head into the Olympics so tonight is about just giving it everything.

"I was tired after the 800 on Thursday but 400 is my main event and I look forward to it.

"I was confident there was more in the tank tonight and I proved that in the end."

Just 24 hours earlier Jackson was forced to play second fiddle to team-mate Rebecca Adlington in the 800m freestyle.

Jackson stormed into the lead off the blocks but Adlington stole the show taking gold in a new European record time of 8.08.25 minutes.

And Jackson, who finished a creditable sixth and clocked 8.18.87 minutes, insists it maybe about time to concentrate on the 400m event.

"That might be the last 800 I do," said Jackson. "I've been concentrating on my speed recently and I think my aims in the future will come in the 200m and the 400m.

"I have been concentrating on my speed a lot more recently and it is showing in the 400 event.

"I don't want to say never but I won't be doing the 800 again for a while.

"I was a bit worried about my 800 because it wasn't the best at the trials last week but I was pleased with this."

* To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Speedo, the world's leading swimwear brand has launched SPEEDO LZR RACERÂ suit, which independent testing has shown to be the world's fastest swimsuit. www.speedo80.com

10:24am Saturday 12th April 2008

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