FERNDOWN Otters' Alex Savage could find herself swimming in two semi-finals and a final in the space of an hour tonight (August 28) as she bids to increase her programme for the European short course championships.

Savage, 18, has already staked her claim on a trip to Vienna in December after her silver-winning display in Thursday's 200m individual medley final.

Last night she was the fourth British finisher in a 200m breaststroke final won by Olympic semi-finalist Kirsty Balfour.

She finished less than three seconds behind Balfour as she lowered her Dorset record to 2:28.63.

Perhaps more significantly, she also qualified second fastest for tonight's 100m individual medley final with yet another personal best time of 1:02.91.

Savage, who also plans to swim both the 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly today, said: "It was quite tough doing the medley semi-final so soon after the 200m breaststroke - but it could be even tougher tonight.

"I'm swimming well here and doing PBs on all my events so far - and I'm enjoying it.

"I'll give it my best shot tomorrow and I'd like to think I can win another medal in the 100 medley - although there are some very tough swimmers in it."

These include Loughborough University's in-form Lisa Chapman, 20, who last night broke the British record for the 50m butterfly, and Scotland's Alison Sheppard, 31, who last week swam in her record fifth Olympic Games.

Savage, who left Queen Elizabeth's School, Wimborne, last month after taking her A levels, added: "I have a busy programme here but that's because I would like the opportunity to swim a selection of events in Vienna."