Lauren Smith admits she is still coming to terms with her European Games success, having won one gold and one silver.

Longtown badminton ace Smith lost out in the women’s doubles final alongside Chloe Birch on Saturday but, a day later, the 27-year-old beat reigning European champions and England team-mates Chris and Gabby Adcock in the mixed doubles final alongside partner Marcus Ellis.

Heading into 2019, Smith had eyed success at the European Games in Minsk, Belarus, and she was thrilled to come away with two medals.

She said: "It was a really great week. As always, I’ve loved being in a multi-sport event.

"It’s pretty rare I get to represent Team GB and be part of an even bigger squad.

"Coming into the Games, I was aiming to come home with two medals but it’s quite easy at these events to get ahead of yourself and caught up in the occasion.

"So, I just focused day-by-day on performing my best, recovering well and not getting overwhelmed by what I could possibly achieve."

Having reached the women’s doubles final, reigning English champions Smith and Birch picked up silver, losing to Dutch duo Cheryl Seinen and Selena Piek in the final 21-14, 13-21, 15-21. But Smith bounced back to beat the Adcock husband-and-wife pairing 21-14, 21-9 alongside partner Ellis in the mixed doubles final.

"In the women’s doubles, Chloe and I made it to the final without dropping a set," said five-time Commonwealth Games medallist Smith.

"We really dominated all the matches up to the final. We started off really well in the final but, unfortunately, our quality dropped a little and the Dutch played a really resilient two sets.

"I’m, obviously, disappointed because I know we could have won but, overall, silver is a huge achievement when we’ve only played together about nine months. Our progress in that time has been great.

"The points from reaching the final are crucial in our bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There’s a lot more to come from us!"

On her success with Ellis, their first multi-sport title together, Smith said: "Picking myself up from the women’s doubles final to play the mixed doubles final the next day wasn’t easy, but seeing Marcus and Chris [Langridge] win the men’s doubles definitely lifted my mood.

"Again, in the mixed doubles, we’d been really efficient and clinical in our performances which is important when you play two events. In the final, we knew a good start was key.

"We tactically played well and didn’t make any mistakes. As the game went on, we kept our foot on the gas and pulled out one of our best performances at a key time.

"Being European champion just feels amazing. I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet but it’s one of the titles you aim for all your career.

"Having European medals is amazing but to actually have the title is a real dream come true and sharing it with Marcus makes it extra special.

"It was a brilliant end to the week, watching him carry the flag for Team GB at the closing ceremony [with Ellis selected as flag-bearer after winning two European Games golds] - such a big moment for British badminton."

Smith, Cumbria’s 2016 Sports Personality of the Year, also thanked those across the county for their support.

She added: "As always, I’m really proud to represent Cumbria in an event like this.

"So many people have played a part in me being here over the years and always been so supportive.

"It really makes moments like Sunday even sweeter. I’m really looking forward to getting home and celebrating with family and friends, although I can’t celebrate too hard [because] we’re off to Indonesia, then Japan, in two weeks."

Smith will be at the “Leg it for the Royal British Legion” event in Carlisle on Sunday.