JESS Judd was overjoyed after leading Great Britain’s senior women to team gold at the 2019 European Cross Country Championships in Lisbon.

Having dominated in the trials held in Liverpool a few weeks ago, Judd secured sixth place thanks to a time of 28 minutes and five seconds.

And Judd, who is from Canvey Island, felt the support shown around the course was key as she impressed once again.

“This is a really nice and close-knit team, so I’m pleased we could win the gold,” Judd told British Athletics’ official website.

“It was such a difficult course, it was just constantly up and down hill.

“Seeing all the British support out on the course was amazing.

“It really helped me around the course.

“I felt like I entered hell on that last lap, but we put all the work in for moments like that, so I’m so happy and to round off the championships like that is amazing.”

Charlotte Arter finished just two seconds behind Judd - the former Castle View School pupil - to seal seventh spot.

Abbie Donnelly was the third and final counter for Great Britain as she took 13th place to confirm team gold.

Great Britain’s senior men, who were captained by Southend’s Adam Hickey, also emerged victorious in Portugal.

Andrew Butchart and Ben Connor finished in fifth and ninth respectively, while Kris Jones clinched 22nd place to ensure Great Britain beat Belgium to team gold.

Patrick Dever was in 26th, while Hickey battled hard for 36th position.

Tom Evans, who was competing in his first European Cross Country Championships, came 44th.

And, having finished as Great Britain’s leading competitor, Butchart was keen to praise Hickey’s leadership.

“There is something special about the European Cross Country Championships,” said Butchart.

“It’s exciting and it’s exhilarating.

“Missing last year was hard so I made sure I was here this year.

“Adam Hickey has done a great job as team captain.

“He’s kept the spirits high, so to win a team medal is very special for all of us.”

It proved to be a European Cross Country Championships to remember for Great Britain as they won five team gold medals to top the medal table once again.

As well as the senior women and senior men - inspired by Judd and Hickey respectively - triumphing, the mixed relay team, junior men’s team and junior women’s team were victorious.

The under-23 women’s team got their hands on bronze.