CHELMSFORD Athletics Club is celebrating another fantastic success for one of its young female athletes after Hayley McLean won gold at the European Junior Championships.
The 18-year-old was one of the favourites for the title in Rieti, Italy, and lived up to that billing with a personal best of 57.26secs.
She attacked the first 200m more than she did in the previous rounds, and her strength saw her home in the final stages.
And she said: "I'm very emotional, especially when I've worked all season to come here and get a gold medal.
"It's what I've dreamed of since I was about 12.
"I went to the World Youths two years ago and wasn't very successful, finishing sixth, so to come here and actually win is a dream come true.
"I'm doubly happy – to come away with a personal best means that I couldn't have run any harder, so I'm thrilled."
McLean's team-mate, 800m runner Jess Judd – who has been called up to the senior party for the World Championships in Moscow – next month, pulled out of the event due to injury.