SOPHIE Hitchon and Alison Leonard have won gold medals at the Norwich Union England U20 and U23 Championships, and in the process have booked their places for the World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Hammer thrower Sophie was the first to win her title, competing on the first day of the Championships at Bedford.

The Blackburn Harrier threw 60.49 metres in the very first round, extremely close to her UK U20 Record of 60.73m, and well beyond the aspirations of any of her rivals.

Although she failed to improve her distance in the subsequent rounds, she finished with nearly nine metres in hand over Myra Perkins from Falkirk.

In the meantime, Alison was qualifying for the final of the U20s 800m, winning her heat in 2:09.62. Ribble Valley runner Leigh Lennon, competing in her Newham and Essex Beagles strip, made it through from the same heat with third in 2:09.86.

The weather turned sour for the athletes on the Sunday with gale force winds, but Blackburn’s Leonard was able to show her true colours, easily winning the final in 2:06.85 with none of the chasers breaking 2.10.

After winning the gold medal, Alison, who will compete over 800m in Bydgoszcz, said: “I’m really happy.

"Firstly, because I didn’t have to lead the race as I thought I might have to, and secondly, because I’ve won the trial and I’m going to the World Junior Championships.”

Dame Kelly added: “Alison is a very talented athlete and I have no doubt that she will perform very well in Poland and that it will be a valuable learning experience for her.”

The younger Lennon was sixth in 2:13:07.

Alison and Sophie will take their places in the Norwich Union GB team for the Championships from July 7 to July 12.

East Lancashire was well represented at a fixture which attracted the cream of the country’s prospects.

Pendle’s Eleanor Markendale was eighth in the U20s long jump with 5.60 metres, and three middle distance specialists reached their finals.

Robbie Schofield representing Ribble Valley took sixth in the U20s 800m in 1.54.82 after setting 1.52.98 in the heats.

Blackburn Harriers Paul Bradshaw and Chris Hart were competing in the U23 age group with Paul eighth in the 800m in 1.55.41 and Chris taking seventh in the 1500m with 3.59.60.

As with Schofield, they were faster in the heats with respective times of 1:52.60 and 3.50.43.