Oxford Brookes University 's Peter Chambers and his brother, Richard, a former Brookes student, were in the Great Britain boat, which advertised their claims for gold with a stunning success in the men's rowing heats at Eton Dorney today.

Peter, who lives at Henley, and Richard, who is based at Maidenhead, teamed up with Chris Bartley and Rob Williams, to storm home from world champions Australia in the lightweight fours.

The brothers, from Coleraine, now go forward to the semi-finals on Tuesday.

There was also success for Henley-born Will Satch and Guildford's George Nash in the men's pairs heats.

Satch, who lives at Maidenhead, and Nash beat an Italian pair to book their place in Wednesday's semi-finals.

Richard Egington, who lives in Henley, Matthew Langridge and cox Phelan Hill, both from the Leander club at Henley, Oxford University student Stan Louloudis and Oxford Brookes University's Alex Partridge were in the Great Britain boat, which finished second to Germany in the men's eight heat.

They now go into the repechage on Monday.

Henley's Tom Solesbury together with Stephen Rowbotham and Matthew Wells, from the town's Leander club, along with Charles Cousins finished second for Great Britain behind Germany in their men's quadruple sculls heat.

They go into Wednesday's semi-finals.

Fran Houghton, from Oxford, and Debbie Flood, who lives in Henley, were in the Great Britain boat, which finished fourth and last behind Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand in their women's quadruple sculls heat.

They go into the repechage on Monday.