THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Tom Daley has been crowned European champion after winning the ten-metre platform title in Eindhoven.

The teenager, who last month became the second-youngest male Olympian in British history when he qualified for Beijing, moved into top spot with flawless dives in rounds four and five, which saw him awarded four marks of ten in each round.

Although his entry into the water in the final round was a little less impressive than normal, the Plymouth youngster had done enough to hold off the challenges of Germanyfs Sascha Klein and Francesco DellfUomo, of Italy.

Daley finished with a score of 491.95 points, ahead of Klein on 487.60pts and DellfUomo on 481.30.

"It was just an absolutely amazing experience," said Daley. "I missed one of my dives and to still be able to get the 10s after that and to still bring myself up to get the gold medal, I really didnft expect it."

Daley, who was only sixth after three rounds, continued: "Normally I can do that third dive a lot better and because I didn't, I did get a bit worried. I knew I had to turn it around."

Great Britain's women's 4x100 metres medley relay squad set a European record as they successfully defended their title in Eindhoven.

Fran Halsall, four-time European junior champion, overhauled the Russian quartet, whose lead had been gradually ground down on the final turn, and went away from her rival to touch in a new European best of three minutes 59.33 seconds.

Russia were clear leaders after the opening backstroke leg, but Kate Haywood produced a blistering breaststroke leg against triple Eindhoven medallist Yuliya Efimova and handed over to British record holder Jemma Lowe in the butterfly.

The Borough of Stockton swimmer further cut the Russians' lead and handed to Halsall who produced a blistering final leg to touch ahead of Russia and the Netherlands.