After qualifying fastest for the final, there were high hopes for Jamieson and despite a slow start, the 23-year-old from Glasgow produced a stunning last 100m to put himself in serious contention for gold.

However, Gyurta just managed to hold the Scot at bay and touch the wall in a world record time of 2min 07.28sec to claimed the gold and the fourth world record of London 2012.

Jamieson was just 0.15 behind in a British record of 2:07.43, a time that would have eclipsed the previous Olympic record, while Japan's Ryo Tateishi took the bronze in 2:08.29.

"I knew after last night I was capable of getting a medal," said an ecstatic Jamieson, who won silver at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"I knew there was a chance of gold but Dan's been overwhelming this year and been challenging the world record.

"I'm just delighted I swum so close.

"I can't believe I've just swum 2.07.

Daniel Gyurta is filled with joy after a world breaking swim

"The crowd were unbelievable and I can only thank everyone for their support.

"It's been a special week, I've done everything I wanted to and it's been a good day for Team GB all round."

Jamieson's compatriot Andrew Willis, who finished seventh in the race, praised the medal winning performance of his teammate.

"I've seen him train for years now and he really deserves this," he said.

"I'm really happy for him."

In another electric night at the Aquatics Centre, Gyurta was not the only swimmer to secure a world record as America's Rebecca Soni produced the fastest time ever in the semi-final of the women's 200m breaststroke.

The defending Olympic champion, fresh from her silver medal in the 100m breaststroke, recorded a time of 2:20.00 and admitted she had shocked herself with the time.

Rebecca Soni breaks the women's 200m breaststroke world record

"I didn't think I would go that fast in a semi-final but I'm obviously delighted," she said after claiming the fifth world record of the Games.

"It gives me great confidence for the final but there is still work to do."

Elsewhere in the pool, America's 17-year-old starlet Missy Franklin secured her second gold and third medal of the Games as part of the American 4x200m freestyle relay that pushed rivals Australia into silver and France into the bronze.

American stars Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps were also in action in the 200m individual semi-final where both cruised into the final.

"It felt good out there," said Phelps, who yesterday became the most medalled Olympian ever in claiming his 19th medal.

"I just tried to stay focussed and I'm looking forward to the final."

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