Hornchurch's Amy Marren, who was born in Newham

Youngster edged out in backstroke final

Great Britain's Susie Rodgers during the S7 women's 50m butterfly at the Aquatics Centre, London.

Hornchurch youngster Amy Marren produced a battling swim to finish fifth in the S9 women’s 100m backstroke final.

Hall Mead pupil Marren, who was born in Newham, had qualified fifth fastest in the morning heats with a time of one minute 14.21 seconds.

And she produced a strong opening 50m at the Aquatic Centre this evening to turn just behind GB teammate Steph Millward and Australian Ellie Cole.

But while Cole pulled away from Millward to win gold, American Elizabeth Stone came through for bronze and Natalie du Toit, of South Africa, claimed fourth place as the 14-year-old Marren finished in 1:14.31.

Upminster’s Hall Mead School tweeted: “Well done @swimstar2008 Amy Marren, fifth in a paralympic final at the age of only 14. @hallmead is proud of you”

Marren still has two more individual events to compete in next week, the 50m and 400m freestyle, and is also hoping to be included in the relay.

GB’s Susie Rodgers, a five-time gold medalist at last year’s IPC European Championships in Berlin, had just missed out on a podium place in the S7 women’s 50m butterfly earlier in the evening.

The 29-year-old, originally from Stockton-on-Tees but now living in London where she trains with the Otters Masters, came home in fourth place in 37.54secs as Australia’s Jacqueline Freney won gold in 35.16, ahead of Canadian rival Brianna Nelson (36.03) and China’s Huang Min (36.50).