The last British woman to win an Olympic title was Anita Lonsbrough, winner of the 200m breaststroke in Rome.

 

A shocked Adlington, who came through strongly in the final few metres to pip the American favourite Katie Hoff, was not even born the last time a British swimmer won an Olympic gold medal.

 

That was Adrian Moorhouse at Seoul in 1988.

 

The 19-year-old from Mansfield, fourth at the final turn, hurtled down the last length to overhaul a tiring Hoff and clinch the gold by seven-hundredths of a second in 4min 03.22sec.

 

Hoff clung on to take the silver in 4:03.29 while Jackson, a 21-year-old from Richmond in Yorkshire, clung on to finish third in 4:03.52.

 

Adlington and Jackson, who were in the lanes next to each other, hugged each other at the end.

 

It meant that in one race Britain's swimmers had equalled the amount of medals they won in the pool in Athens four years ago.

 

Adlington said: "I'm so proud to be British.

 

"Both of us here, two Britons, on the medals podium.

 

"What else can I ask for?

 

"It was really hard.

 

"I felt like I would just be hanging on."

 

Adlington also had a special message for her family who, as reported exclusively on insidethegames yesterday, were forced to watch at home on television after losing £1,100 in an Olympic  ticket scam.

 

She said: "I'd just like to say thank you to all my family.

"They're sat at home in the living room cheering.

 

"Thank you so much for watching, I love you all.

"Everyone, my friends, my family, my boyfriend.

 

"Thank you."

 

Adlington and Jackson became the first British women to win a swimming medal since Sarah Hardcastle in Los Angeles in 1984.

 

That was in the 800m freestyle, the event in which Adlington is currently ranked world number one in 2008 and which the final is due to take place on Saturday.

 

Adlington is also due to take part in 4x200m relay where Britain are among the favourites to win a medal.

 

She said: "We can't really celebrate this yet as there is loads more swimming to come.

 

"It's just been a fantastic week so far and I can't wait for it to carry on."

 

Jackson said: "I'm so overwhelmed.

 

"I can't believe it - a medal at the Olympics."

Fittingly, both Lonsbrough and Moorhouse were in the Water Cube to see Adlington's magnificent performance.

 

Lonsbrough was reporting for the Daily Telegraph and Moorhouse commentating for the BBC.