BECKENHAM diver Blake Aldridge has quit Great Britain as his row with British Diving continues to escalate.

Despite success in the pool, where he dived a personal best at the National Cup in February and made the individual 10m platform final at the European Championship in August, Aldridge has endured a turbulent year out of it - finding himself in court on a assault charge.

Although the case was dismissed because of a lack of evidence, he has become embroiled in a bitter row with British Diving after they left him out of their pre-European Championship training camp.

This led to his decision to leave the country and continue his preparations for London 2012 abroad.

“I am diving here and training here to keep out of the way of all the British divers so nobody knows what I am doing with my training,” he told News Shopper’s sister paper the Croydon Guardian from his base in the States.

“British Diving has treated me badly and that’s why I have come away to get away from them and their eyes so I can come home and hopefully kick some butt and shock everyone.

“The court case ruined my reputation and should never have gone that far.

“How can they charge somebody and then end the case after two previous court appearances because it took them that long to see the CCTV?”

With less than 600 days to go until the Games, Aldridge insists he is in top shape as he looks to qualify for a second successive Olympics following his appearance alongside Tom Daley in the 10m synchronised final two years ago.

He said: “I am training six days a week and harder than I ever have before. I’m in the best shape of my life, like I was before the Olympics but better.

“I am fitter, stronger and happy with everything. I think if I can keep this level of training up without getting injured then I will be in with a good chance for the 2012 Olympics.

“It’s fingers crossed though as there is still a long way to go.”