BARRY swim star David Davies is set to return home as he begins preparations for the 2012 London Olympics.

The 25-year-old Barry-born Olympic silver medallist moved his training base to Loughborough in 2007 as he believed it would boost his chances of medalling at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

But now he has decided to team up again with his former coach Dave Haller back in Cardiff.

David said: "I have found this year tough in terms of my performance both in competitions and in training, and I knew that I needed to make a change.

"There are two years until London and I know that in order to be ready to succeed in 2012 I need to change my surroundings.

"I have always had a huge amount of respect for Dave," he added.

"He is the coach that took me from an inexperienced swimmer to an Olympic medallist when I was 19.

"And the City of Cardiff Swimming Club has always remained close to my heart, as it was the club I grew up with.

"I believe that re-locating to Cardiff will help me with my preparations for the Olympics and I look forward to beginning my training in the new pool in the city," he said.

The 2008 Olympics was a bitter-sweet experience for Davies who finished outside the medals in the 1500m freestyle final, but won a great silver in the men's 10km swim on open water.

He has found it tough going since then and physical exhaustion forced him to pull out of this year's British Championships 1500m freestyle in March.

Now it is hoped he will be able to defend his 1500m Commonwealth Games freestyle crown in Delhi this October.