AIMEE Willmott is desperate for British selectors to grant her a reprieve after she missed out on the demanding qualifying times for Rio on the opening night of the 2016 British Swimming Championships.

The double Commonwealth silver medallist was back at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre two years after those two podium finishes, and once again it was Hannah Miley who edged her out in the 400m individual medley.

Miley claimed the British title on Tuesday evening, with Middlesbrough-born Willmott coming home second in 4:35.52, outside the consideration times for second-place finishers.

However selectors can select up to six swimmers who did not make those standards, provided they are within two percent of the consideration times.

Willmott falls into that category and is hoping that she has done enough to convince the selectors when the team is announced a week on Thursday after a tricky build-up to the event.

“I’m not necessarily disappointed with the result, I’ve had a very emotional week leading into the competition and I knew what the times were and what I had to do, so it was more a sigh of relief that I have kind of done it,” said the 23-year-old.

“Fingers crossed I’ve done enough to make it on to the team. It wasn’t a million miles away from my best time and I think it’s all about just doing the job here and fingers crossed I get picked for Rio and can step it on when I need to.

“I’ve had some family issues at home and a few things that have been playing on my mind, and it was just nice to swim well and get under the (discretionary) time.”

Elsewhere, Newcastle swimmer Annalea Davison got her meet underway with a sixth-place finish in the women’s junior 200m freestyle.

Davison, winner of 400m freestyle bronze at the 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival, clocked 2:04.98 in the heats although she was unable to keep that up in the final, with 2:05.07.

“I’m a bit disappointed, I thought I could have gone faster but it has definitely boosted my confidence going into the final,” she said.

“I really want to try and make as many finals as I can this week, in particular the 400m final, and see if I get selected for any British teams.

“I want to do a lot better in the 800m and in the 400m. At least now I’ve got a feel for how it is while racing.

“I’ve just been watching James Guy get to the Olympics and I’ve swam straight after him. It would be great to make the team for the European Championships.”

* Tickets for the European Aquatics Championships – the biggest event to be held at the London Aquatics Centre since the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games – from May 9-22 are now available here: www.euroaquatics2016.london