A WORLD title in record-breaking time, an individual silver medal and two PBs - not bad for a man who says he is going through something of a transition.

Tom Hamer returned from the World Para-swimming World Championships in London with more medals to add to his collection but he says there is room for improvement- and it is all about getting it right for the Tokyo Paralympics.

The 21-year-old from Rawtenstall teamed up with Bethany Firth, Jessica-Jane Applegate and Reece Dunn to help Team GB win the mixed 4x100m freestyle S14 title in a record-breaking time of 3 minutes 42.21 seconds - almost 20 seconds faster than the previous best time which has been set by Japan.

As Hamer swam the first leg, his time of 53.07secs counted as a new PB.

The former Alder Grange High School pupil also picked up a silver medal in his favoured 200m freestyle, his time of 1min 55.19secs another PB.

Despite the apparent success, Hamer says it has been a difficult season having swapped club and coach to join Stockport Metro following five successful years at the National Swimming Centre in Manchester.

"I won two medals, picked up my first World gold and helped set a world record so I can't be too disappointed," said the former Alder Grange High School pupil. "But I know I have a lot more to give and that is why I made the decision to change club's this year.

"It has been a bit of a roller coaster year, I have changed clubs and changed coach but it was something I felt I needed to do.

"I felt I was getting a bit stale at Manchester, nothing against anyone there but I just felt like I needed a new challenge."

The individual silver medal was an upgrade on the bronze he won four years ago but Hamer was denied gold by Team GB's new kid on the block Dunn who finished with three gold medals having also won the 100m butterfly as well.

But he believes the arrival of Dunn can only spur him on to bigger and better things.

"I'm not going to say I was gutted to miss out on gold but I definitely wanted to win it," said Hamer who finished behind Dunn in the 200m freestyle and ahead of teammate Jordan Catchpole in the GB one-two-three. "It was a pretty special to be on a podium with three GB swimmers, I'm not sure if that has happened before."

Hamer, who won Commonwealth Games gold on the Gold Coast last year added: "Reece has come in to the category and is a very good swimmer but that is the sort of challenge I needed.

"I suppose I have been top dog in the 200m freestyle for quite a while, especially in this country and I was also the world record holder for a while. So I guess I just need to up my game and get even faster."

Hamer said being part of a team event was special and is hoping to compete in the relays which will be held in Tokyo for the first time next year.

"Being part of the relay team was brilliant, it is new for us and it will be in the Paralympics next year.

"Swimming is very much and individual sport but when you compete in the relays, you are a part of a team and you feel you can't let them down. So do what we did, win the world title in a record breaking time was very special."

Hamer is currently on holiday - where he says he will try and stay out of the pool - before returning to training and preparing for the challenges ahead.

"For me it is all about Tokyo now, I was willing to take two steps back to take one forward and hopefully now it will be all about preparing and peaking at the right time for the Paralympics."