By JOE SOUTHWOOD

JESSICA Judd has made it through to the 1500m final at the Commonwealth Games.

The 23-year-old, from Canvey Island, finished eighth in her heat at the Carrara Stadium in Australia.

But Judd was still able to qualify for the final, which will be held tomorrow.

The former Castle View School pupil tweeted after the race: “It wasn’t pretty but dad said to drive to the line and so glad I did!

“Very hard getting race ready in time but made it to my first 1500m final!

“So grateful for another chance and special thanks to Caster (Semenya) for being so lovely and supportive at the end, made me feel so much better.”

Judd finished fourth in the 800m final at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but faces stiff competition in the longer distance in her latest showdown.

Judd ran 4:08:07 in her heat and qualified in the final fastest losers position.

The middle distance star, who runs for Chelmsford Athletics Club, will again face double Olympic champion Semenya in the final.

Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech, who came fourth in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Rio Olympics, is also expected to be in contention for medals.

Judd’s England team-mate Katie Snowden has also made it through to the final.