JESSICA Judd finished fifth in the 1500m final at the British Athletics Championships in Birmingham yesterday.

A top two place was needed to guarantee a place in the Great Britain squad for the European Championships in Berlin next month.

But Judd - who competed for England in the Commonwealth Games earlier in the year - faded in the closing stages.

The 23-year-old - from Canvey Island - led the race out from the start but could not keep up with a change of pace from her rivals during the last lap and eventually crossed the line in four minutes, 13.56 seconds.

The race was won by Laura Weightman in a time of four minutes, 8.80 seconds.

As a result, Judd - a former Castle View School pupil - now looks set to miss out on selection for the European Championships.

The Rochford born Judd represented Great Britain in the World Championships in London last summer