The 22-year-old Scot led from start to finish for an emphatic victory.

 

She surpassed her own British record to touch in 2min 21.82 sec, ahead of Germany's Anne Poleska and Beata Kaminska of Poland.

 

It rounds off a great  year for the Edinburgh swimmer.

 

Balfour became European long course champion in August and won the silver medal in the 100m breaststroke in Budapest.

 

She also claimed silver and bronze behind Australia's double world record holder Leisel Jones at the Commonwealth Games in March.

 

"I was relieved as I touched the wall because I wasn't quite sure how close the other girls," said Balfour.

 

"It was a relief but I was very surprised with the time and the result because I'm in training and not race prepared.

 

"I wasn't sure of my pace out there and just tried to build into the race, to get faster and faster.

 

"I felt a bit of pressure and there was a oment before the race when I wasn't sure if I could do that because I was so nervous but it all came together and I can learn from that."