Cumbrian hammer thrower Tara Simpson-Sullivan claimed a bronze medal at the England Athletics Senior and Para Championships.

A throw of 62.71m was enough for the 22-year-old to finish third in the contest at Chelmsford.

Simpson-Sullivan produced her best throw with her second attempt as she staked an early medal claim at the championships.

The star from Lowther near Penrith, competing for Wigan & District Harriers and Athletic Club, went up against Katie Head and Kayleigh Presswell in the battle for podium places.

Simpson-Sullivan threw 62.19m with her fourth attempt and 61.05m with her fifth, leaving her in bronze position.

Head from Newham & Essex Beagles Athletic Club took gold with a 67.04m throw with Thames Valley Harriers' Presswell silver with 66.69m at the Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre.

For Simpson-Sullivan it was a better return than a disappointing afternoon at the British Championships two weeks ago, when a best throw of 59.36m left her eighth.

The Cumbrian is coming off an impressive season in America.

Simpson-Sullivan, an athlete at Rice University, was named Conference-USA field athlete of the year for the 2023 season.

It followed successes in both the hammer and weight throw at outdoor and indoor meetings.

Simpson-Sullivan won the British championship back in 2021 and has a hammer personal best of 69.39m and a season's best of 68.24m.