KIDDERMINSTER swimming star Todd Cooper will be going for glory at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games after successfully qualifying at the British Championships.

The 24-year-old will be testing his ability against the best in the summer in the 100 metre butterfly, after finishing runner-up at Ponds Forge pool in Sheffield in a time of 52.33 seconds.

The former Haybridge High School pupil, who is studying a media management and law degree at the University of Stirling, is aiming to look forward after a testing few years.

Cooper was part of the Great Britain squad which competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics but did not get past the first round.

He then endured a back injury which plagued him for 18 months, before he was able to step up his training and achieve his dream of going to a second Olympics.

"This is a big achievement for me because I have had a few set backs and problems over the last three years," said Cooper.

"I have stayed focussed on the big prize and I'm delighted that my hard work has paid off.

"It's more stressful at the qualifiers than the actual games itself and I used my previous experience to calm my nerves.

"I am looking forward to the games because there will be no pressure on me, so I can be relaxed and do my best.

"I would love to get to the final and see where it goes from there."

Cooper, whose family live in Kidderminster, will be aiming to make sure he is in the best possible shape for the games, which start in August. He will be attending a number of training camps with the national squad before flying out.