TROWBRIDGE sprinter Danny Talbot delivered a blistering performance to qualify for the semi finals of the men's 200m at the World Athletics Championships this evening.

Talbot clocked a lifetime best of 20.16 as he crossed the line alongside 400m world record holder and friend Wayde Van Niekerk, of South Africa, who is attempting the 200m and 400m double at the London championships.

The 26 year old former St Augustine's Catholic College pupil led a British trio to the semi-finals at the World Championships as Zharnel Hughes and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake also went through.

The Wiltshire man's time was the eighth fastest ever by a British athlete, placing him above Marlon Devonish and Julian Golding in the British men's 200m all-time list.

Talbot said: "I think I'm in the best shape of my life so I'm just trying to go with it. I'm very grateful to be in the position I am. It's definitely the best season I've ever had and to be able to have that going into a home World Championships is something you can only dream of.

"It's not over yet, I try and stay in the present as much as possible. My next focus is the semi-finals - I'll try and win that then go from there.

"For me the only thing that's important right now is getting the best recovery possible then I'll take it from there."

Van Niekerk, who won 400m Olympic gold in Rio, is the strong favourite for the title.

Talbot, who ran a wind-assisted 19.86 in America earlier in the year, added: "He's great. I grew up racing him in the juniors and I've known him for seven years. We're good friends. To see someone like that do so well inspires you. I still want to beat him so we'll see what happens.

"He's a great guy, great athlete and great to be on the track with these guys, but at the same time you want to beat them. Hopefully I can do that."