SYDNEY (AFP) - World governing body FINA must police further advancements on a controversial new swimsuit amid a rash of world records, a leading Australian swimming coach said in a report Sunday.

Australian coach of the year Stephan Widmer has warned against further development of Speedo's controversial LZR Racer after the latest world records by Frenchman Alain Bernard and Australians Stephanie Rice and Emily Seebohm.

Bernard smashed the world mark twice on the way to winning the men's 100-metre freestyle at the European championships in Eindhoven this weekend.

On both occasions Bernard was wearing the new swimsuit, as were Australia's Eamon Sullivan, Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry and American Natalie Coughlin when they lowered world marks in the past month.

Rice and Seebohm continued to set new world records on Saturday's opening night of the Australian Olympic trials in Sydney.

Rice smashed the previous best for the women's 400m individual medley and schoolgirl Emily Seebohm claimed the world's best in the non-Olympic 50m backstroke.

Six world records have been set so far this year by swimmers wearing the suit, which was released in February.

"There's some really good rules in place by FINA and I want them to keep within those guidelines," Widmer told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

"It's very important for the sake of swimming as a whole. I hope they keep a very close eye on what is allowed."

A consultant in its design, Widmer said the suit shouldn't be considered a form of cheating despite it not being available to all competitors.

"At the end of the day, the athlete has to be ready," Widmer said. "It's not the secret to superfast swimming. It's a great product.

"I don't think it's an uneven playing field. Everybody has the opportunity to choose whatever material they want."

The suit's controversy revolves around its corset-like mid-section, which according to Widmer helps reduce fatigue in the home stretch of a race.

"At the end of the race, you get just that little bit more hip movement and little bit less drag," he said.

Australia's former Olympic medallist Michael Klim said there was no doubt the suit was instrumental in the recent avalanche of world records.

"The faster you go, the more benefit you are going to get from the suit," Klim said.

"I don't think it's a coincidence that all the world records were broken just a few weeks after the suits were released. I think it's definitely got something to do with it."

Former Australian Olympic champion Duncan Armstrong said any advancement in swimwear technology should be welcomed, and said the suits could make the difference in the hunt for gold at this year's Beijing Olympics.

"People complain about it but if you're that close to making the team, then you can't afford not to have it," Armstrong said.