Marie Atkinson smashed the British Masters' 800-metre freestyle record for the 25-28 age group during last weekend's Barnet Copthall Masters' meeting.

The 25-year-old took a staggering nine-and-half seconds off the previous mark and narrowly missed the European record.

The was the first time that Marie competed as a Master, having taken time off from her busy schedule as aquatic co-ordinator for ther British Universties Sports' Association and Great Britain team manager. Marie also added the 100, 200 and 400-metre titles, narrowly missing records in each event.

The prevous weekend, Marie traded the warmth of the indoor pool for the open sea, when she took part in the Brighton Pier race, finishing a creditable second behind an experiened open-water international and fourth overall.

Marie's brother, Keith, incidentally, travels to Italy next weekend for the World Wind Surfing Championships.