HEREFORDSHIRE and Worcestershire's intermediate girls' team won bronze medals at the English Schools’ AA National Combined Events Track and Field Championships.

Danielle Hopkins, Emma Sherwood and Hannah Sahota qualified from June's regional competition for the nationals at Bedford International Stadium.

The Midland schools winners were only the second team from the two counties to reach the finals and the first in the age group as well as to win medals.

Two years ago Hopkins from The Chase School, Malvern, and Bromsgrove School's Sahota were part of the junior girls' team at the championships in Exeter.

In seven track and field events across two days, eventual gold medallists Essex and Cheshire led the way but the battle for bronze was between the counties' girls and three other groups.

After a steady start in the sprint hurdles, they showed their potential with high jump points and nudged ahead of Hampshire into third.

By the end of day one, they were just 200 points clear in the bronze position.

The long jump consolidated their place but they knew the javelin could change things going into the final event of the 800 metres.

Hopkins and Hagley High School's Sherwood pulled out personal bests in the javelin with Sahota’s throw her best in a combined events competition.

Having maintained a narrow lead, they tactically ran strong races to secure their team podium place, finishing 500 points ahead of Hampshire.

Hopkins was the eighth top individual competitor among 43 with her heptathlon points total of 4,617 a big PB.

Sherwood finished 13th, Sahota 31st and their team total was 12,652 points.

Hereford Sixth Form College's James Milburn competed in the senior boys' age group for his last combined events competition.

In the 10 gruelling disciplines that constitute a decathlon, he gained a PB in the shot and an overall best total of 5,451 points to finish 12th from 26 starters.