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Jemma Lowe, left, with medley team-mate Fran Halsall

HARTLEPOOL-born swim sensation Jemma Lowe insists her birthday champagne will remain on ice, despite qualifying for the Beijing Olympics at the first attempt yesterday.

Lowe was 18 on Monday but rather than enjoy her new-found freedom she decided to underline her class in the pool by smashing the British record in the 200m butterfly heats of the British Championships.

She then followed that up by pipping pre-event favourite Ellen Gandy and her Stockton Swimming Club teammate, Jessica Dickons, to gold after leading home the field in a time of 2.07.61 minutes.

And with her heat time of 2.06.64 minutes, four seconds inside the Olympic qualification standard, Lowe can now look forward to a trip to China this summer.

But despite the double reason to rejoice Lowe revealed all celebrations were on hold until she seals the 100m butterfly title, which gets underway tomorrow.

gI wanted the 200m title but I know I have the 100m coming up as well,h said the Borough of Stockton star, who is one of The Northern Echofs Dreams of Gold hopefuls.

gI can relax a bit more and enjoy my swimming but there wonft be much time to celebrate.

gI canft believe I have won. The final was a lot less painful than the heats but it was all about finishing in the top two and not worrying about anything else.

gThere wasnft really any time to celebrate my birthday. I donft suppose there are many people who go to bed at nine ofclock on their 18th birthday but I wanted to go to the Olympics so it had to be done. It was just a massive relief at the end.h Lowe arrived in Sheffield in confident mood, having helped Britain to medley relay gold at the European Championships in Eindhoven last month.

And Lowe defended British swimmingfs decision to schedule finals in the morning in Sheffield and heats in the evening in an attempt to replicate the conditions that will face the squad in Beijing.

gThe set-up we have doesnft bother me to be honest,h she added. gIfve always been a good morning swimmer so it didnft really affect me too much that I had to get up to swim.

gItfs just so unreal to think that Ifll be going to the Olympics. It really is a dream come true.h Lowe has become the second North-East sportsperson to be a confirmed participant in this yearfs Games after South Durham ABC fighter Bradley Saunders claimed his place by gaining bronze at the World Boxing Championships in Chicago earlier this year.

But there was Olympic heartache for Lowefs club-mate Jessica Dickons, who missed out after finishing third in the final.

Dickons, who also recorded the qualifying time on Monday, clocked 2.10.11 minutes, over two seconds behind silver medallist Ellen Gandy from Beckenham.

Meanwhile, Wear Valleyfs Chris Alderton missed out on a medal in the menfs 400m freestyle final, finishing fourth in a time of 3.52.36 minutes.

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10:58am Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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