1980 Moscow gold medallist Duncan was on-hand to spur on the swimmers from the water including 8-year-old Danielle Brady, the youngest swimmer there; while three-time London 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist and World Champion Susie took part in the event with three members of the public.

Swimmers young and old and including every level from learners to club swimmers took to the water to complete the SwimBritain challenge, including Londoner Adam Warner. Adam set a blistering 3:12 leg record, beating the current fastest time posted at SwimBritain Coventry by retired London 2012 Olympian Ross Davenport, and was later congratulated on his achievement by Duncan Goodhew.

“Adam’s time was a highlight of a great day here at Hillingdon Leisure Centre – it’s a great turnout for British Gas SwimBritain and everyone has done fantastically well to complete the SwimBritain challenge,” said Duncan, who brought his gold medal for inspection.

“I’ve been cheering on all the participants both in and out of the water – I know from my competitive swimming days how important it is for motivation to have someone in your corner. The atmosphere has been amazing – each team has been getting behind their swimmers and more than that, everyone has been cheering on each other.”

He added: “I’ve spoken to nearly all the participants today and they’ve had a lot of fun practicing for SwimBritain. Many of them haven’t swum for a while, so it’s been a real pleasure to hear about them rediscovering swimming as a great fitness sport that has physical and mental benefits. I’m sure they’ll all continue swimming and will look forward to setting themselves new goals in the pool.”

After her team successfully completed their 4km team relay challenge, Susie said: “I’ve had a lot of fun doing British Gas SwimBritain here in Hillingdon today.”

“My team were great – the challenge of 250m four times in a relay is quite tough and they really went for it, I was impressed!”

The Otters SC swimmer added: “I train in London but usually down at Crystal Palace, so it’s been good today to have a change of scene and get involved in a completely different type of swim meet!”

SwimBritain Hillingdon marked the second weekend in an action-packed month of SwimBritain events, with Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds kicking off the series in Coventry on Saturday 31st August and comic star David Walliams joining former World Champion Keri-anne Payne for the open water event at the Great Lake, Blenheim Palace.

British Gas SwimBritain is a new programme which aims to encourage half a million more people to swim regularly by 2015, consisting of a swimming relay challenge for teams of four with each team member swimming a distance of 1000m. The event is open to swimmers of all abilities and is taking place at nine pools around the country and one open water venue, between 31st August and 29th September.

The programme aims to encourage 500,000 people to swim more regularly by 2015. To find out more and sign up to one of the remaining events, go to swimbritain.co.uk/signup