Paul Palmer shattered his own national record to gain Britain's first individual medal of the World Swimming Championships with a bronze in the 400 metres freestyle.

The Olympic silver medallist produced a storming last 100 metres in the competition in Perth, Australia, to take third ahead of the European champion and hot favourite, Emiliano Brembilla, of Italy.

Palmer clocked three minutes 48.02 seconds, taking just over a tenth of a second off the mark he set nearly five years ago.

Australia's 15-year-old schoolboy, Ian Thorpe, claimed the gold in a thrilling finish from fellow countryman Grant Hackett, who had led for most of the race.

Paul Palmer displays his bronze medal

It was 23-year-old Palmer's second medal of the championships following his bronze in the 4x200 metres freestyle relay.

Palmer, who nearly quit the sport a year ago, was lying equal second alongside Thorpe after the first 100 metres as Hackett stormed ahead.

He seemed to be paying for that as he dropped to fifth with less than 100 metres to go but produced one of his typical strong finishes to claim another major championship medal.

Palmer said: "It was pretty comfortable until the last 50 metres. I haven't been feeling very good at these championships, so I was glad to do that personal best at last.

"My next event is a few beers because I've finished for the week."

Brembilla was fourth just ahead of fellow countryman Massi Rosolino.

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