Mark Foster smashed his own British record in the 50m freestyle tonight to set the fastest time in the world this year at the North Eastern Counties Championships in Sheffield but his selection for the World Championships still remains uncertain. After cruising through the heats this morning Foster looked unsettled before the final and left the start to change his goggles. After the dive it was clear that the new goggles had fallen off and the 6ft5 short course world record holder, who should have been a clear race winner, trailed into the finish in last place swimming a time of 28.60.

The event was won by Bradford's Adrian Lonsdale in 24.68 but Foster's target had been to swim inside the qualifying time for the World Championships in Japan in July. Foster has already qualified for the 50m butterfly in Japan but a swim inside 22.41 was the plan today to secure his place in the 50m freestyle line up for the World Championships.

When offered the opportunity to swim in a time trial Foster had no hesitation in accepting. Swimming on his own, this time in his correct goggles, he powered down the length to stop the clock in 22.13, 0.16 seconds inside his own British record set at the Olympic Trial last May. The question now is whether Performance Director Bill Sweetenham will accept the time as qualification for the World Championships. Final confirmation of the team isn't due until after the Scottish National Championships on 24th June.

After the race Foster explained that he had accidentally picked up team mate Neil Willey's identical goggles and when he realised they didn't fit correctly he went over to his bag but couldn't find his own competition goggles. It was his training goggles that fell off during the final.

"I hope Bill Sweetenham accepts the time because I want to get back into some hard training now. That is the sort of time that could well win the World Championships and I'm really pleased with it."

Neil Willey also had an eventful day, twice swimming inside the qualifying time for the World Championships. His time of 25.90 in the heats of the 50m backstroke this morning made him the first British man to swim inside 26 seconds. His final time was slightly slower at 25.91 but the Bath swimmer, now coached by Foster, looks to have booked his ticket to Japan.

"I'm well happy. This is what I came here for and I did it."

Another smile came across Willey's face when he was presented his winners medal by Swedish world short course freestyle record holder Therese Alshammar who was in Sheffield to support Willey and Foster in their bids to qualify for the World Championships.

Other highlights today included Nicola Jackson in the 50m butterfly setting a personal best time of 27.41 to come within less than a tenth of a second of Caroline Foots British record. British swimmers now move on to Manchester in three weeks for the British Super Grand Prix. The event will offer them another opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in Japan.