TEENAGER Claire Cashmore is the best of the rest yet again after claiming hard-fought silver in the 100m freestyle at the Visa Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

With South African ace Natalie du Toit, who famously qualified for the final of the 800m freestyle at the able-bodied 2006 Commonwealth Games, dominating the Paralympic circuit, Cashmore knows silver was a realistic achievement.

Du Toit flew to victory in a time of 1:01.73 minutes but the 19-year-old Kidderminster swimmer smashed her own British record time taking second, clocking 1:07.53 minutes as she restored some much needed self-belief in the pool.

"It was brilliant," said Cashmore. "It was a great swim as I went into the race in seventh position and finished second so I can't ask for more than that.

"If I'm honest I needed that, it came from inside me - it was for my confidence as I have not swum well this year.

"Every time I lose, I get knocked down and I have been trying to pick myself up again so I needed that to get me back on track.

"It was sheer determination and training that has got me this medal and already I feel a new self-confidence with my swimming."

Britain dominated the pool at the Visa Paralympic World Cup at the weekend, landing a record seven gold medals, six silvers and five bronzes in Manchester.

And Cashmore is convinced the form of the British team in Manchester bodes well for next summer's Beijing Paralympic Games.

"The crowd here was amazing and I think they helped tow me all the way home," she added. "They drove me on so much and carried me to the finish.

"The result won't affect my chances for Beijing. It's just a real plus for my own personal satisfaction and development so I know where I am.

"There are a lot of youngsters coming through into the GB squad. It's a shame we've not got another major championship this year but that means this is a key event for us.

"With us taking so many medals, the Paralympic World Cup shows we are up for it and Beijing now looks very promising."