SWINDON-born swimmer Jazz Carlin has been named the British Swimming Athlete of the Year this morning.

The Commonwealth and European gold medallist won the public vote by a landslide as she claimed 78 per cent of the votes cast.

Carlin has enjoyed an impressive year in the pool which started with her claiming gold in the 800m freestyle at the Commonwealth Games, before winning silver in the 400m the following evening in Glasgow.

The 24-year-old also stood on the podium at the European Championships, in Berlin, after winning both the 400m and 800m freestyle.

With the former Tigershark wrapping up her year with a silver medal and British record at the World Short Course Championships in Doha.

“It’s a real honour to have been voted British Swimming Athlete of the Year,” said Carlin after beating fellow swimmers Adam Peaty, Francesca Halsall, Ross Murdoch and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor.

“Thank you to everyone that has voted for me.

“This year has been amazing but I am working hard for 2015 now and have my sights set on an Olympic spot in 2016.”

Head Coach Bill Furniss commented: “Congratulations to Jazz on winning our first Athlete of the Year poll. She’s had a great year and worked hard.

“She performed well at the Commonwealth Games and then swam even better at the European Championships just a couple of weeks later.

“To take on the likes of world medallist Lauren Boyle at the Commonwealths and the likes of Mireira Belmonte at the Europeans was great to see.

“She showed real character in her victories and in Berlin not only did she race well but she paced her 800 perfectly.”