Frederiksen proved one of the stars at the Aquatics Centre during the Paralympics as the 26-year-old from Leigh claimed gold in the S8 100 metres backstroke, along with three silver medals.

Watkin also produced a phenomenal display, as the 20-year-old Swedish-born star took two silver and two bronze medals, competing predominantly in the S9 class.

But according to BBC Sport, the split comes after a breakdown in the pair's relationship with coach John Stout.

Issues arose during the Paralympic Games, which were described as a "stressful" time for both parties, and despite reconciliation taking place this week, they quickly soured.

"We would like to thank all involved with the club for the help and support we've been given," said Watkin, who was born with an upper limb deficiency and is missing her left hand.

"But, with our sights now set on Rio, it's time for a fresh challenge."

Louise Watkin took two silver and two bronze medals at the London 2012 Paralympics

Stout declined to comment on the issue but John Atkinson, British Disability Swimming's national performance director, issued a statement.

"I would like to thank John, City of Salford SC and the athletes for their fantastic results in what was a memorable summer of sport," he said.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Heather and Louise to identify their coaching needs as we begin the long journey over the next four years to the Rio Paralympic Games."

The move is somewhat of a surprise, particularly from Frederiksen, who had a serious accident in 2004 that left her with limited use of her right arm and leg.

Under Stout, Frederiksen won four Paralympic medals at Beijing 2008 and the pair stuck together after the swimmer tested positive for raised levels of salbutamol after she used an inhaler at the 2009 European Championships in Reykjavik to halt what she insists was a life-threatening asthma attack.

She received a six-month doping ban for the incident but insisted that she came to London 2012 with a "clear conscience".

"At the end of the day that doping ban was for a salbutamol inhaler and it was something that I had to do," she said at the Paralympics.

"I'm sorry but I ask anyone this question: if your life was at risk and you had to take an asthma inhaler, what would you do?"

Frederiksen and Watkin are now understood to be training in Manchester while they consider their options for a permanent base.

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