CITY diving duo Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow enhanced their ever-growing reputation as a synchro pair last night by winning a bronze medal at the FINA World Cup in London.

In taking third, the pair created British diving history. They are the first female divers from Great Britain to win a medal at a world event.

The result beat their performance at last summer's World Championships, where they came fourth, and was a massive boost ahead of this year's Olympic Games.

Diving in the Olympic Pool, they qualified for the final in second place with a lifetime best 319.86 points, finishing behind China's Wang Hao and Chen Ruolin, who scored 340.08.

In the final they made a really slow start and were only ninth after the first round, but they dug deep and pulled a medal out of the bag with a sensational last dive of 82.52 points.

Last night's result sent a message to their Olympic rivals that they could be a major threat this summer if they are selected as Great Britain's duo in the platform synchro event.

Their coach Andy Banks was over the moon at their result.

He told The Herald: "It is absolutely brilliant. It is the best ever result by British female divers.

"It was a tough event. They needed that last massive dive because they had missed a couple.

"But they proved themselves to be star performers by pulling out that massive dive at the end. I am really pleased for them."

Fellow Plymouth diver Tom Daley will be in action at the World Cup today.

Daley will compete in the men's 10m platform synchro competition along with dive partner Pete Waterfield on day four of the Olympic test event in Stratford.

The two Olympians will be up against many of the top pairings on the planet in east London today, with their preparations hindered by injuries and, in Daley's case, the odd barbed comment disguised as advice.

In addition, Daley has been struggling with a thumb injury, while Waterfield has been hampered by a side complaint, both key hindrances for athletes bidding to demonstrate their technique, timing and, well, nerves in front of an expectant home audience.

The 17-year-old Daley has also come in for a round of friendly fire from British Diving's performance director Alexei Evangulov who has publicly criticised the teenager's media commitments.

Enough to make you wonder why you bother given that Daley's global appeal has been used widely by the British Olympic team to help market the Games which get under way in 155 days.

It's all water off the proverbial diver's back, says Andy Banks, who is Daley's Plymouth Diving and Great Britain coach, mentor and friend.

He does not believe Daley will be fazed by either public expectation nor criticism.

Banks dismissed the politics, saying it wasn't even an irritant, as under his watch, the only thing allowed to bother the divers was whether he was satisfied with their efforts.

He said that in training, he makes sure his charges are cut off from the outside world and its pressure so they can train and practice to their hearts' content.

Banks told Herald Sport: "It sounds trite, but when we're preparing for a big event like this, we are in our own little bubble – nothing gets through.

"I leave the politics to others and don't get involved, and that goes for Tom and the other divers too.

"It may sound off and odd but I remember being at an event – and it was in Russia – that we were so wrapped up in what we were doing, that I didn't find out until the meet was finished that the Berlin Wall had come down.

"Fair enough, that was back in 1989 and the network of internet, Tweets, Facebook and texts means it is a very different world now.

"But even here at the Aquatics Centre, which is absolutely great, it is still possible to cut out all the distractions and concentrate on making sure our divers are prepared properly.

"It's going to be a bit of a punch up today as there as so many very good athletes involved.

"There's no pressure on Tom and Pete to qualify a place for the UK, as we already had a synchro slot because we're the host nation.

"The guys are doing well and thankfully, the injuries are much improved.

"They trained hard on Tuesday and Pete's arm is much better and, touch wood, Tom's thumb hasn't been a problem for him.

"They had an easy day yesterday so that they'll be fresh for today."