Injury ruined Charlotte Browning's attempt to defend her under-15s title at the National Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields in London.

The Chichester High pupil jarred her back soon after the start on an unforgiving course and crashed onto a concrete path.

She said: "I got up and started running again but after half-distance my back was beginning hurt more and I did not want to cause it further damage so I dropped out.

"Parliament Hill is not my favourite course as there are too many hills and I cannot really use my stride to its best advantage.

"I have given it a rest and visited a physio this week just to make sure it is no more than a minor strain to the muscle."

She is due to compete in the All England Schools Championships at Stanmer Park, Brighton and Hove, in ten days time.

Craig Ivemy was fourth in the boys' under-17s race.

The Hailsham runner was squeezed out of a bronze medal position by Matt Barnes-Smith, two weeks after pipping his Ipswich rival for third place in the inter-counties.

Ivemy will take on Barnes-Smith at Stanmer Park.

Danielle Christmas led Crawley to fourth overall in the girls under-14s' team event.

She was sixth, Hannah Brooks 34th, Emily Goodall 55th and Leanne Best 70th.

In the boys under-13s' race, Chris West (Chichester) was sixth and Katy Moore (Brighton and Hovetenth in the girls' under-17s.