LAURA Stephens is hoping her hard work will shine through when she competes at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The former Colchester Swimming Club member today begins her challenge at the fast and furious Short Course Championships, which take place at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

It is another important event for the international butterfly swimmer, who is hoping to compete at the Olympic Games that take place in Tokyo, next year.

Stephens, who competes in the women's 50 metres butterfly heats this morning, said: "I’m very excited for the Championships.

"This is the first big competition of the season so it will be good to see where my hard work has got me up to this point, especially as the Olympic trials are not far in the distance now.

"I’ve been working a lot on my technical skills so I’d like that to show in my performances and times and hopefully come away with a medal in the 200 fly."

Stephens, who is now based at Plymouth Leander, will compete with Europe’s best swimmers at the five-day short course event, in Glasgow.

The talented 20-year-old former Colchester County High School for Girls pupil is part of an 18-strong British team which also features home town hero Duncan Scott, as well as his fellow World Champions James Guy, James Wilby and Luke Greenbank.

Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Siobhan-Marie O’Connor will also take to the water, alongside 2018 European Champions Freya Anderson and Georgia Davies.

Held every two years, the event will see more than 500 athletes from almost 50 European nations make their way to Glasgow to compete across five days of fast-paced swimming action.

Contested in a 25m pool, the races feature more turns and closer finishes, making it a real spectacle for fans of the sport.

The event will be hosted by British Swimming in collaboration with partners Glasgow City Council, Event Scotland and UK Sport.

The final sessions will be shown across the BBC's digital platforms across the UK.

Finals sessions will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport app and via the BBC Sport website.

British Swimming Chief Executive Jack Buckner said: “It’s great news that the BBC will be showing all of the finals sessions live for fans who can’t make it to Tollcross.

"With the Olympics getting ever more visible on the horizon, this will be a great opportunity for our swimmers to see where their form is at this point in the season.

"Taking on the best in Europe, I have no doubt the action will be both fast and exciting, as the UK once again plays host to another major international event.”