CORSHAM School’s Theo Spurrell was Wiltshire’s gold medal star at the English Schools’ Track & Field Championships in Manchester.

Spurrell, who was fifth in the junior javelin when the championships were last held two years ago, smashed his personal best by over seven metres to secure the inter boys’ gold medal and his first national title.

In addition, victory earned him a place in the England team for the British Schools’ Championships in Derby.

Spurrell wasn’t the only county medallist at the event which - due to Covid-19 restrictions - was held over three days at two different stadiums in Manchester.

Sheldon School’s Owen Merrett continued his fine season with an excellent silver in the senior boys’ hammer throw, which he was contesting for the first time.

Merrett, who lives in Chippenham, threw 60.93m to just hold off training partner Toby Conibear. Both boys are coached by Matt Spicer, as is fellow Sheldon School student James Viner who placed fifth with a cracking PB just behind another Wiltshire thrower, James Ricketts of Swindon.

“It was the worst performance of my season by a long way and just wasn’t my day,” said Merrett.

“But at these events it is the medal that matters so all in all I’m happy with the silver and that took of the sting out of not throwing so far.”

Owen’s younger brother Adam also impressed on his championships debut, finishing sixth in the junior boys’ hammer.

Other Wiltshire medals went to Swindon’s Amy Warren in the inters triple jump and Salisbury thrower Anna Merritt in the senior girls’ hammer.

In the inter girls’ long jump Wiltshire team-mates Delleah Belgrave and Amelia Watling finished sixth and seventh respectively.

Meanwhile in Bergen, Norway, Bradford on Avon international athlete Jenna Blundell reached the semi finals of the 100m hurdles at the European Under 23 Championships.

The former St Laurence School student clocked 13.43secs to finish second in her heat but in the semi finals could only manage 13.67secs into a strong head wind to place fourth so failed to make the final.

Chippenham Harriers’ Rohan Archer raced to am emphatic victory in the Hazelbury Hurrah 10k trail race, clocking a time of 36mins 06secs to finish over a minute clear of Team Bath’s Jamie Dale. Chippenham’s Stuart Padget was third.

Chippenham’s Karen Hacker (44:11) was second woman behind Natasha Perks (43:39) with Bethan Francis of Avon Valley Runners third (44:39).