FORMER Queen's College, Taunton, student Matthew Clay has won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The 23-year-old from Chard pipped his England team-mate Liam Tancock to win the men's 50m backstroke swimming final to give his country its first gold medal.

"I didn't see any reasons why I couldn't win the gold," he said.

"It's only a 50m swim and fractions of a second decide the result, so why not me.

"You never know what pressure does to other people but I just love the crowd. With 10,000 people cheering you there was no reason why I couldn't win."

At Queen's Clay is remembered as a very committed pupil, both in the classroom and in sport.

"The really great thing about him winning the medal is that he's such a nice fellow," said head of PE Mr Andy Free.

"He'd do things like turn out for the second XV rugby when he had no interest in the game and could have been injured, but he just wanted to help out."