ELLEN Gandy was eighth as the United States' Dana Vollmer won the Olympic 100 metres butterfly title in a new world record of 55.98 seconds in London.

For Bromley born Gandy it was her first Olympic final and there was little expectation that she would challenge for medals with the 200m her favoured event.

The American had been favourite coming in to last night's final having set an Olympic record on Saturday a year after being crowned world champion in Shanghai.

Vollmer took 0.08secs off Sarah Sjostrom's 2009 world record as she added the Olympic title to the gold she won in Athens in 2004 as a 16-year-old member of the triumphant 4x200m freestyle squad.

Lu Ying of China was second in 56.87secs with Australia's Alicia Coutts third 0.07 adrift.

Gandy touched in 57.76 with just 0.59 separating fourth to eighth and the former Langley Park School for Girls pupil said: "It was great to be part of an historic race and the crowd was amazing.

"I was the first swimmer out and it was so loud.

“You can also hear them on the second 50 which is unusual.

“I would have liked to swim faster but I was pleased to make the final and I still have my main event to come."

Her next event is the 200m butterfly heat which is set to take place at 10.25am tomorrow (July 31)