PORTLAND’S Jay Lelliott set a new English record and smashed his personal best as he swam to silver in the 800m freestyle final at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea today.

The Bath University student, who led for most of the race, finished second behind Ukraine’s Sergii Frolov in a time of 7.50:97mins.

That bettered Dan Fogg’s national record of 7.51:60 and was nearly five seconds quicker than the mark Lelliott posted during the heats on Saturday.

Lelliott went into the final as the fastest qualifier but in the end it was Frolov, silver medallist in the same event at the last World University Games two years ago in Russia, who did enough to take gold.

Lelliott put himself in a great position to seal first place but the Ukrainian came on strongly over the last 100 metres to triumph in 7.50:28.

Japan’s Ayatsugu Hirai produced a good finish to take the bronze medal in 7.52:77.

Today's silver for the Dorset ace was Britain’s first medal of the Games, although it was quickly followed by James Wilby and Craig Benson in the 100m breaststroke – they claimed silver and bronze respectively.

Islander Lelliott still has two more chances to stand on the top of the podium, with the first of those on Monday in the 400m freestyle.

He then goes in the 1500m freestyle heats on Wednesday, with the final of that event taking place on Thursday.