Rebecca Adlington clinches Britain's second medal

Rebecca Adlington claimed Great Britain's second medal of London 2012 tonight as she took bronze in the 400 metres freestyle.

The race was won by Frenchwoman Camille Muffat in a new Olympic record of four minutes 01.45 seconds with American Allison Schmitt second.

It was a superb swim by Adlington, forced to swim out of lane eight after only just scraping into the final this morning.

The 23-year-old came from sixth at halfway to touch in 4mins 03.01secs.

Rebecca Adlington said she was "so pleased" with her swim and praised the "absolutely amazing crowd" inside the Aquatics Centre: She added:

Speaking to ITV News, Rebecca Adlington's parents said 'she was amazing... she's a fighter'.

Fellow Team GB athletes also tweeted their own congratulations.

Adlington's win comes after Team GB cyclist Lizzie Armitstead battled through torrential rain today to clinch second place on The Mall and pick up Britain's first medal of the Games.

The 23-year-old from Otley near Leeds banished the disappointment of the men's road race yesterday.

Fans lined the home straight of the 140km women's road race despite the traditionally wet British weather.

Armitstead said the win felt "strange" and left her feeling "shocked":

Other members of Team GB were quick to congratulate her, including Paula Radcliffe who announced today that she was dropping out of the marathon on medical grounds.

The family of Lizzie Armitstead was also quick to congratulate her, including her mother:

On The Mall in central London, Lizzie showed off Team GB's first medal of the 2012 Games.