SWIMMING: Palmer in comeback victory

PAUL PALMER announced his return in emphatic style at the British Short Course Championships in Glasgow last night.

Palmer, who had not competed since last July, marked his comeback with victory in the 400 metres freestyle. The Olympic silver medallist, who only returned to training in October following muscle fatigue syndrome, won in 3min 47.67sec with Graeme Smith slicing 0.01sec off his Scottish record by finishing second in 3:48.75.

Alison Sheppard broke her Scottish 100m freestyle record for the third time at the meeting as she captured the gold medal with a time of 54.83sec.

The 14-year-old, Nicola Jackson, broke the British 50m butterfly record as she lived up to her reputation as one of the country's brightest swimming prospects. She clocked 27.58 to beat Caroline Foot, York's 33-year-old defending champion and the British record holder, into second place.