The Hartlepool-born swimmer didn't manage to qualify for the Beijing games at April's Olympic trials after being dogged by illness for the last year.

But Alderton is still seen by the Great Britain camp as a medal prospect for the 2012 London games and was part of a development squad which flew to Canada for the Tri-Nations tournament.

The 21-year-old took gold in the 400 metres freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay along with bronze in the 1,500m freestyle, at the Quebec tournament which saw swimmers from France, Canada and Britain gain vital experience of international competition.

Gold in the 400m was particularly pleasing for Alderton, who is based in Australia, as he showed his return to form with a personal best of three minutes 51.15 seconds.

"He was absolutely thrilled with the gold and even more so with the times," said his mum Janet.

"Chris has not been well over the last year and so he was pleased to be back on the up and competing on a positive note."

Alderton will be looking to maintain his rich vein of form at the Australian Short-Course Championships which get underway in three weeks time.

Janet admits Chris' focus is already on 2012, along with next year's World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Seeing fellow Hartlepool swimmer Jemma Lowe compete in Beijing along with double gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington has made Alderton even more determined to be part of the GB squad in London.

"He was pleased to see how well Jemma did and he knows Rebecca Adlington from when they were competing as juniors," said Janet.

"They went to Paris with her for the Junior Olympics and you could see the potential she had then.

"Hopefully that will be him in 2012."