Great Britain's Jazz Carlin has said that she is "gobsmacked" to have come away with a silver medal from the 400m freestyle final at the Rio Olympics.

The 25-year-old was a distant second to Katie Ledecky as the American smashed her own world record, but held off the challenge of Leah Smith to come home in a time of 4:01.23.

The silver came moments after teammate Adam Peaty had stormed to gold in the men's 100m breaststroke, and Carlin is hopeful that more success will follow in the pool for Team GB.

"It's an incredible feeling and it's definitely not sunk in yet. Four years ago I was sat in the stand cheering Team GB on but now I'm actually part of the team and to come away with a silver medal is absolutely amazing. I'm so grateful for everyone's support back home and anyone who got up to watch in the ridiculous hours of the morning – I'm just over the moon," she told reporters.

"I wanted to come here and give it absolutely everything and have no regrets. Sometimes you swim and think I could have a bit left but I wanted to get myself into the race rather than always having to catch up and then absolutely go for it. I could see Katie was a bit in front and having a great swim so I just tried to hang on and am gobsmacked to come away with silver.

"I was in the pool room watching Adam and I had goose bumps on the block. To see someone who's your teammate achieve a new world record and becomes Olympic Champion right before you swim definitely got me pumped up. It's been a great night for Team GB in the pool. We've got a great team here and hopefully we can keep the momentum up and inspire the rest of the team for the rest of the week."

Carlin is also due to take part in the women's 800m freestyle on Thursday.