STEPHANIE Millward remained on course for a hat-trick of Paralympic swimming medals after cruising into the final of the women's S9 400m freestyle at London's Aquatics Centre this morning.

The Corsham swimmer, 30, won the opening heat in a season's best time of 4:46.00 to qualifying second fastest for this evening's final, 14-year old teammate Amy Marren second in 4:53.04.

Sotuh Africa's 11-time Paralympic champion Natalie Du Toit underlined her status as the overwhelming race favourite by storming home more than 20 seconds clear of the field in the second heat, in 4:32.59.

Millward said: "It felt really good, it was pretty much the perfect morning swim.

"Natalie looked really good and the gold will be tough but I am feeling confident about getting a medal."

The final is just after 6.15pm tonight.

Millward clinched her first Paralympic medal in the S9 100m backstroke last Friday and added a bronze in the women's 34-point 4x100m freestyle last night.

NEWS FROM MILLWARD'S 400M FINAL TONIGHT AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT AND WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT, PLUS REACTION AND PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES