JAY Lelliott finished a creditable third and earned a bronze medal in the final of the national 400-metre freestyle final behind James Guy and Stephen Milne in Glasgow.

Lelliott swam a good time of three minutes 47 seconds, just four seconds outside the time needed to be in contention for the Olympics this summer.

The Portland-born swimmer started fast matching the British national record holder Guy over the first 50 metres.

Guy extended his lead consistently over the course of the race with Lelliott heading the rest.

As the raced passed halfway Lelliott was clinging onto second place, with Milne threatening his silver medal spot.

Guy went on to win the race with ease, finishing a fraction slower than his British national record  time.

Lelliott looked strong throughout, but he was just edged out by Milne on the line, just as he had been in the morning heats where he had finished second.

In the heats, the Bath-based swimmer was in a constant battle for top spot in heat five with both Milne and Nicholas Granger fighting it out with Lelliott for first place.

Granger faded in the final 100 metres and it was Milne who touched the wall first, beating Lelliott by just half a second.

Tomorrow the swimmer will be racing in the heats of the 200m butterfly, hoping to continue his good form before taking on his favoured event - the 1500m freestyle - on Friday, which will be his best chance to gain a place on the plane to Rio de Janeiro.