The 23-year-old won his heat in an impressive time of 2:10:50 earlier this afternoon.

The Team England star will now compete against training partner and 2012 Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson in the final at 9pm tonight.

Jamieson is favourite to win gold, but Willis is enjoying a fine run of form and could cause a major upset as he looks to improve on his fourth-placed finish in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Members of Bracknell & Wokingham Swimming Club gathered at Bracknell Leisure Centre, in Bagshot Road, to cheer on Willis in his heat and later on tonight in the final.

He finished eighth in the London 2012 Olympic Games – when around 250 club members gathered at the leisure centre to watch.

Speaking to the News, Willis’s dad, Nigel, said: “The whole club is behind him. We’ve got a card – well, more of a book really – signed by all the members of the club of all ages which is really quite moving actually.

“It will be a great atmosphere in Glasgow and I’m sure it will be just as good down at the club.” Meanwhile, Binfield prodigy Amber Hill will compete in the skeet clay pigeon shooting tomorrow (Friday).

The 16-year-old Pride of Bracknell Award winner is one of the youngest members of Team England but is ranked fifth in the world for her sport, so is a real medal prospect for her country.

Two international judo stars who began their road to success at the Pine-wood Judo Club, in Old Wokingham Road, will also be competing. Former Emmbrook School pupil Megan Fletcher has been chosen to represent Eng-land while Matt Purssey will compete for Scotland.

Pinewood coach Mark Fricker said: “Once you’ve been here, you’re part of the family and they still come down and pop in. The club will be right behind them.

“We’re hoping to get a big screen up at the club so everyone can get behind them together and bust out the Scottish flags for Matt of course!” Fletcher’s brother Ben – also a judoka – was forced to pull out of the Games last week after picking up a knee injury in training.

Bracknell sprinter Sophie Papps is anticipated to take a leg in the England women’s 4x100m relay team on the penultimate day of the Games on Saturday, August 2.