Gemma Spofforth has been selected for the Great Britain youth squad to compete in the Australian Age Group Championships in Perth this week.

It is consolation for missing out in the Olympic trials.

The Slindon swimmer, 16, was eighth in the 100m backstroke final at Sheffield and missed the 200m to ensure she could compete in the event down under.

Gemma, a member at Bognor, said: "I'm pleased to be chosen to represent my country and get a quick chance to do better than I did in Sheffield.

"I was devastated with the way the 100m went in Sheffield. I was fourth at the turn but couldn't sustain it. I didn't expect to make the Olympic team because Sarah Price and Katy Sexton were in the event, but I expected to do better and get closer to my personal best (1min.02.83sec). But I didn't swim as well as I could have done.

"I managed to pick up my form in qualifying for the 200m but the British coaches thought it would benefit my development if I swam the 100m in Australia because the longer distance is my second stroke.

"It'll give me international experience against the very best youngsters in Australia and be a challenge."

Ben Hutchinson failed to qualify for the second rounds of the 50m and 100m freestyle at the Olympic trials which were also selection-deciders for the European Junior Championships.

The Crawley club swimmer suffered further disappointment when he was unable to secure a place in the Europeans for the second successive year despite recording a personal best 24.28sec at 50m.

Tim Hartley, Sussex and Crawley coach, said: "Ben put in a decent performance. It wasn't a case of him going backwards but of others improving."

Hutchinson's twin brother Chris failed to get beyond the heats in the 50m freestyle.

Mark Harrington finished fifth best 16-year-old in the 100m and 200m freestyle and was second in his age in the 100m backstroke.

Brighton swimmers Claire Manton (200m individual medley) and Emma Eaves (100m butterfly, 400m individual medley and 200m freestyle) failed to qualify from the heats.

Hartley said: "It was a fantastic experience for all the swimmers. It gave them a taste of what performing on a big stage is like and dealing with the pressure."