Great Britain’s first-ever outing in the World Championships proved short-lived at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield as they suffered a double first round defeat.

The men’s team - with Scot Mark McGivern outstanding - lifted their game to take a set off Belarus in their final match but lost out 23-25 25-13 22-25 17-25 as their opponents took the one qualifying place.

With uncertainty about the future funding of the team, GB coach Harry Brokking claimed Britain would be passing up a unique opportunity if they did not continue to fund the programme towards London 2012.

“I have a team of rough diamonds and to polish those diamonds takes both time and money. It’s time that this country work up to that,” he said.

The GB women’s team, who beat Montenegro in four sets on Saturday, lost their final match to Israel 12-25 24-26 19-25 as the Israelis - under legendary coach Arie Selinger - reached the second round for the first time in their history.