Sophie Hales continued her fine form this season when she lifted the European Race Walking Grand Prix under-20 10km title at Leamington Spa at the weekend.

In gale force winds the 18-year-old from Steyning AC saw off the challenge of a top quality field from across the continent to win in a time of 51min.16sec. The UK champion was in a group with Great Britain team mate Katie Stones and Mandy Lorieu, of France, at the half way point.

Lorieu was dropped with two laps to go before Hales pulled away from Stones on the final lap to win by four seconds.

Hales' victory was just one of the highlights on a good day for Steyning AC as Niobe Menendez returned to action after having a baby to become national champion in the women's 20km.

In her first race back Menendez, who was seventh in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, was second behind Yeliz Ay of Turkey in 110min.59sec.

Clubmate Jo Hesketh was 37 seconds behind in third to give Steyning the European team title. Steyning AC narrowly failed to complete a team double as the men finished runners-up behind Manx Harriers in the 20km. Matt Hales was a disappointing sixth in 99min.4sec with Richard Emsley 12th and Ron Penfold 16th.

Sixteen-year-old Nick Ball refused to be intimidated by competing against walkers up to four years older than him as he was sixth in the under-20 men's 10km in 47min.20sec.

There were also impressive performances in the junior ranks with Chris Ball third in the under-13 boys 2km in 11min.4sec and Naomi Green fifth in the under-15 girls 3km in 16min.55sec.

Nigel Gates completed a remarkable treble by winning the British Masters 3,000m title in Cardiff.

The Brighton and Hove City AC runner stormed to victory in the over-50s race in 8min.59sec finishing more than 42 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger.

The 50-year-old, from East Hoathely, was the hot favourite after setting a new world record at the distance in February and winning gold at the World Masters Indoor Championships last week.