THERE was gold medal success for a number of south Essex athletes at the Eastern Championships in Sandy at the weekend.

Basildon AC’s Michael Shields continued his fantastic month, that has included an English Schools victory and an England debut, with a win in the under-17 men’s 100m hurdles (13.48s).

Benfleet’s Victoria Hiscock won the under-17 women’s 800m (2m 21.8s) while Thurrock Harriers’ Gemma Holloway won the under-20 women’s 1,500m in 4m 39.91s.

Holloway’s young team-mate Hayley Instance won bronze in the under-13 girls 800m (2m 35.7s).

Southend AC’s Jake King won the senior men’s 400m title in 48.51s and Basildon’s Louise Douglass won a silver in the women’s 400m (68.6s).