Caroline Saxby has become the first swimmer from the Bishop Auckland-based Wear Valley Amateur Swimming Club to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.

The 19-year-old Durham University student, who is coached by Gary Hollywood, secured her place on the team by coming third in Great Britain in the 800m Freestyle and third in England in 400m Freestyle at the recent British National Championships held in Manchester.

Her time of 8.45.85 for the 800m was inside the selection time of 8.45.86 and ranks her sixth in the Commonwealth.

After her race Saxby said: "I knew that I just had to go for it and when I finished and looked over at the clock I couldn't believe it."

This will be Caroline's first time representing England on a senior international team. Saxby said: "I have never competed in such a huge event as the Commonwealth Games and so I have nothing to lose. I'm just going to keep training hard, my aim is to make the final in the 800m."

In qualifying for the Games, which are held in Manchester in August, Caroline broke both the 800m and 400m Northumberland & Durham County records.

In the heats at the National Championships Caroline lowered the 800m record by two seconds, which had been held by former Newcastle Swimmer and Olympian Samantha Foggo. Caroline then smashed her own record by another three seconds in the final. Caroline is only one of two Northumberland & Durham based swimmers who have been selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games. Newcastle's Sarah Whewell will also be representing England in Manchester.

At only 19 Caroline is one of the younger members of the team and her coach, Gary, therefore hopes that this will be the first of many Commonwealth Games for Caroline.

Ebac Ltd have supported Caroline financially through her trials for the Commonwealth Games and chairman John Elliott said: "Ebac are delighted with Caroline's success, reaching the Commonwealth Games for England this summer is a great achievement for Caroline and Wear Valley Swimming Club." Caroline was keen to thank her coach as well as her sponsors Ebac Ltd, Durham University and Wear Valley District Council for their help and support.