JESSICA Judd has been called up by Great Britain for the European Cross Country Championships.

Judd, who is from Canvey Island, is one of 40 runners who have been selected by their country for the competition, which will be held in Samorin, Slovakia on Sunday, December 10.

The British team comprises of six full squads for the senior, under-23 and under-20 races, while four athletes will represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the senior mixed relay event for the first time.

Judd, who is coached by her dad Mick, will be looking to emulate her performance at the European Cross Country Championships last year.

The Loughborough University student was part of the gold medal winning women’s under-23 team at the event in Chia, Italy.

And British Athletics team leader Rob Denmark is hoping that Judd, who will headline the women’s under-23 squad, can lead by example as a host of new faces join Britain’s cross country ranks.

Denmark, who ran for Basildon Athletics Club, said: “The trials showcased some real quality and, as a result, we were able to select an incredibly strong British team to go to Samorin for these prestigious championships.

“We are taking some experienced athletes who are proven championship performers but I was also pleased to see a number of athletes step up at the trials and earn their place on the team.

“We have a strong tradition of success at these championships and I’m looking forward to us challenging for medals both individually and as a team.”

Judd has starred in the Cross Challenge series this year and she also put in an impressive performance in the European Cross Country Championships trials - where she competed alongside the senior runners - which did enough to book a place on the plane to Slovakia.

Judd, who won bronze in the 5000m at the World University Games earlier this year, will be joined at the competition by Chelmsford Athletics Club team-mate Khahisa Mhlanga.

Mhlanga, who is one of six Brits to be selected in the junior women category, is also coached by Judd’s dad.

Meanwhile, Philippa Bowden, Amy-Eloise Neale, Amy Griffiths, Phoebe Law and Mhairi MacLennan will compete in the women’s under-23 category alongside Judd.

Griffiths and Law were also part of the women’s under-23 squad that won gold at the 2016 European Cross Country Championships.