READERS have offered their congratulations after a Cumbrian swimmer became an Olympic medallist.

Luke Greenbank won bronze in the men’s 200m backstroke in Tokyo.

Readers were full of praise for the 23-year-old.

Andrew Harrison said: “Fantastic Luke, well done.”

David Chapman said: “What an amazing achievement Luke, your distant relations over in Windermere are well proud of you.”

Barbara Irwin said: “Congratulations Luke. Brilliant, from Barbara, Ian and family - Windermere.”

Barbara Broadhead said: “Well done Luke! Fantastic!”

Debbie McCarron-Tuer said: “Superb! Well done and congratulations!”

Philip Jardine said: “Well done Luke. Fantastic achievement.”

Sarah Robertson Grimshaw said: “Fantastic swim, well done Luke.”

Anna Falcon said: “Amazing. Well done Luke.”

Jill Owen said: “Well Done! Fantastic!”

Joan Briggs said: “Well done Luke, amazing.”

Nicola Stephenson said: “Awesome Luke, well done!”

Cockermouth star Greenbank claimed Team GB’s sixth swimming medal of the Games.

Russian Evgeny Rylov won gold with an Olympic record time of 1:53.27, with USA’s Ryan Murphy pipping Greenbank to silver.

Speaking to the BBC, the Crewe-born swimmer, who grew up in Cumbria and went to Cockermouth School, said: “It is amazing.

“It is a dream come true.

“I am so happy, over the moon and a bit lost for words, I am not going to lie.

“My first memory of swimming was watching the Beijing Olympics [in 2008], so it has always been an ambition of mine.”

Greenbank had qualified second fastest to reach the final on Friday morning and started well at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, sitting behind only Rylov after the first length. He had been overtaken by Murphy by halfway, but comfortably held on to to finish third.