PRESTWICH swimmer Adrian Turner's performance in the Olympics hangs in the balance.

For the medal hopeful has adopted an unusual balancing trick as part of his training.

Adrian (27) will compete in the 200m and 400m individual medley in Greece in August and to improve his technique has been swimming with a plastic beaker balanced on his forehead.

The former Parrenthorn High School pupil explained: "The cup of water helps to keep my head still and if my head is still, then I swim faster. Back stroke is my weak leg, but with this technique I have improved a lot. I have knocked 0.5 seconds off my 100m split as a result."

As well as speeding up Adrian's performance, keeping his head still will prevent him from becoming disorientated.

During training he follows the line of the roof to keep in a straight line, but considering the Olympic pool in Athens looks unlikely to have a roof built in time for the Games, Adrian needs all the help he can get to keep on track.

He added: "Again, if my head is still I can swim in a straight line and that is easier with something to follow. At the Games there will be just blue sky and clouds and that can be disorientating."

He first saw the balancing act performed in the World University Games in Majorca five years ago and reigning women's World Champion Katie Sexton incorporates it into her training.

It has formed part of Adrian's training since last October, together with wearing "drag pants".

The big, baggy swimming shorts live up to their name and "drag" the swimmer back, so when they are replaced with streamline trunks the athlete speeds along.

The Commonwealth Games medal winner also swims 60km to 80km a week to keep up his stamina.

Adrian's parents, Roger and Joyce, who run Rainsough Filling Station in Hilton Lane, Prestwich, will be cheering their son on in the Olympics, along with his sisters Caroline and Beverley.

They will also be supporting Beverley's husband, James Cracknell, who is competing in the men's coxless fours.

Adrian, who is ranked 8th in the world, added: "It would be a fantastic achievement to make the finals but my goal is to beat my personal best."