The world champion finished in an impressive time of 29.94sec to pick up 913 points.

Kate Grey of Bath University took silver in a time of 30.03 while Stephanie Millward of Swansea, who won the gold medal in the women's 100m backstroke yesterday, took bronze in 30.15.

Watkin said: "I'm pleased with how that went.

"After winning the gold at the World Championships last year it is good to have the qualification time in this event.

"I do think I could've gone faster, but I'll take that for now."

In the men's event over the same distance the performances were equally impressive.

Matthew Walker of Marple won by a 64-point margin as the S7 star claimed gold in 28.63 ahead of silver medallist Simon Miller of Manchester and multiple Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts, of Caerphilly, who took bronze.

Walker admitted he had hoped to go faster but was delighted to have secured the qualification time for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming European Championships in Berlin in July.

"I've been doing this a long time but I am really enjoying it at the moment," said Walker.

"I've had a difficult couple of months but it is great to come here and win.

"I'm disappointed with the time because I wanted to go faster but I got the qualification time for Berlin and hopefully that will go up and up."

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