Joe Townsend from Eastbourne won gold for England in the men's Commonwealth Para-triathlon.

In a dramatic finale to the men’s event, former Royal Marine Townsend, 30, took advantage when Australia's Bill Chaffey collided with the barrier allowing him to race past before overhauling Chaffey's team-mate Nic Beveridge to snatch gold.

Townsend, who lost both legs when he stood on an IED in Afghanistan in 2008, said: “For me it was the perfect day.

“Everything I planned I did so I am really happy! I kept the gaps well in the swim and when I knew that worked, I knew the race was mine.”

He added: “Swimming was always going to be my weakest discipline and I knew that I was strong in the cycling so I just needed to keep my cool.

“As soon as I was in to the second triathlon in the lead I knew I was on target. If you look at the quality in the field, there’s world champions and top athletes so you can’t take away the intensity in a top venue, so yes I’m really happy.”