GEMMA Kersey has spoken of her delight after winning a place on the Great Britain team heading to the European Cross-Country Championships.

The 19-year-old will be making her debut for Great Britain at the championships, in Velenge in 11 days time, after UK Athletics selectors handed her one of three discretionary places in the junior women’s team.

The Basildon AC athlete, who won on her international debut for England earlier this month, said the call-up was a “privilege” and said she was still pinching herself after a whirlwind few weeks.

“This past month everything has moved so fast,” said Kersey, who is coached by Eamonn Martin. “It was only a few weeks ago that I won my first England vest and that was big step up. Now I’m going to be representing Great Britain. It’s a huge step forward for me.”

Kersey gave herself a great chance of selection after finishing seventh in the trials at Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday.

The first three athletes home in the trials were automatically selected, but Kersey’s fellow south Essex athlete Jessica Judd opted not to travel to Slovenia.

The fifth-placed athlete Amy Griffiths was, at 15, too young to be considered for selection which left Kersey effectively the fifth-best placed finisher in the field.

But she was made to wait until Monday afternoon before her spot was confirmed and then almost a day later before she could tell anyone her news.

“I couldn’t say anything until UK Athletics made it public yesterday morning,” said Kersey. “It was hard keeping it quiet!

“I fully exerted myself at Liverpool. I was in sixth place going into the final 600m. I slipped back a bit but behind our group of runners there was quite a big gap.

“I was so tired afterwards. I couldn’t walk because I had given so much.

“Then I couldn’t sleep for a few days afterwards because I was so hyped.

“It’s just great and I feel it will really bring me on as an athlete. To be picked alongside the other girls in the team is a real privilege.”

FULL STORY IN WEDNESDAY'S ECHO