Talented young Cumbrian javelin thrower Natasha Wilson won gold at a national event.

Wigton athlete Wilson claimed the victory in Bedford at the England National Under-23 Championships on Sunday.

Wilson had already won this event in the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 age groups, and now has won it in the Under-23 category, as well.

Her winning throw was more than 46m, which means the Cumbrian is ranked first in the UK in the Under-23 category, and Wilson has won at the Northern Championships this month, too.

Mum Gina said: “She did very well. If she throws over 52m, she will be eligible to go the European Athletics Under-23 Championships.”

But, despite this recent success, the 21-year-old is still not yet back to full training as she continues to recover from a chest infection that left her in hospital in January.

This means she is currently only able to throw at a seven stride length and is confident she will be able to throw over the 50m mark when she does return to full fitness.

Gina added: “The last year or so has not been too clever for her, but this year she is taking it nice and easy, throwing at a seven stride length. And it seems to be paying off.”

Former Nelson Thomlinson School pupil Wilson has also been invited to the World Championship Team Trials at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on July 1-2.

Wilson recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam University and had represented Great Britain twice in her Junior athletics career, and won gold when she represented England at the English Schools International Championships.

She won a rising star award, alongside Scotby’s Olympic hammer thrower Nick Miller, at the Cumbria Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in 2010.