JAZZ Carlin swam the best 400m freestyle of her career to win a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rio this morning.

Swindon's Carlin, who now lives in Bradford on Avon, clocked 4 minutes 01.23 seconds - a lifetime best - to finish second to Katie Ledecky, of the United States, four years after missing out on the Games in London totally after glandular fever ruined her preparations.

Just minutes after teammate Adam Peaty had become Great Britain's first medallist of the Games by smashing the men's 100m breaststroke world record again to win, Carlin doubled her country's tally.

As expected, Ledecky was in a class of her own from the start, streaking clear of the rest of the field to smash the world record with a time of 3:56.46.

But Carlin swam her own race and, after an early battle with Canada's Brittany MacLean, made second spot her own in the second half of the race, with American Leah Smith taking the bronze medal.

"I honestly can't believe it. I'm on the edge of tears because it's not really sunk in at all,'' said the 25 year old minutes after the race.

“I knew it was going to be a tough race and obviously Katie (Ledecky) breaking the world record – I was just trying to stick to her and have a great race.

“I didn’t want to be stuck at the back trying to chase for the medals, I wanted to be up there in the mix from the start.

“I can’t believe the time as well, I am so happy.

“Four years ago I was sat in the London Aquatic Stadium watching from the sidelines, cheering everyone on.

“This time I am in the pool and I have won a medal.

“I was sat in the call room watching Adam break the world record and claim the gold and that was a pretty special feeling, I had goose bumps before I swam.

“I knew I had to try and stay relaxed and stay calm before the race, but to come away with a silver, I am absolutely gobsmacked.

“I’m so grateful for everyone’s support back home and anyone who got up to watch in the ridiculous hours of the morning – I’m just over the moon."

AFTER her swim to victory Twitter went into a frenzy with messages of congratulations coming from far and wide as well as from her home turf. 

Jazz who supports Manchester United got a tweet from the team that said: @JazzCarlin Congratulations from everyone at #MUFC, Jazz!

UK Prime Minister Theresa May: Many congratulations to @adam_peaty and @JazzCarlin for winning @TeamGB first medals at #Rio2016

Double gold medalist in the 2008 Olympics, Becky Adlington tweeted: What an amazing photo@Jazz Carlin@Adam Peaty!!! Olympic medalists

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland tweeted his congratulations and said: “Jazz’s silver medal is a testament to her talent, hard work and perseverance. She is a superb role model for young people here in Swindon and across the country.

"She has strong links with Swindon and Wales too, which is welcome to me and many other Swindon residents with similar ties.”

Swindon Borough Council’s leader David Renard said: “Her special story, which started right here in Swindon, is truly inspirational and shows what amazing results can be achieved with raw talent, hard work and relentless determination.”

“After missing out on taking part in 2012, I’m sure this much-deserved silver medal is all the sweeter. I hope her example encourages everyone to keep aiming high and believing in themselves, whatever their goal.”

Swindon Mayor Eric Shaw said Jazz Carlin’s silver medal was all the more remarkable because the 400 metres was not her best event.

“It was one of the races that saw a host of extremely powerful swimmers. To get a silver in that was absolutely tremendous,” he said.