A student has qualified for the Essex County Cross Country team after finishing fourth at the annual Year 7 and Year 8 Essex Schools Cross Country Championships.

Molly Sherrin, a Year 7 student from West Hatch High School in Chigwell, was among 16 athletes from the school who competed in various races over either a 3km or 3.5km course.

Some 250 students in each age group and gender category took part at held at Stubbers Activity Centre in Upminster on Wednesday, February 5.

Molly will now represent the Essex County team at the Inter-counties event in Kent next month.

The youngster, who runs for Woodford Green and Essex Ladies, is a very keen and strong runner who competes regularly.

She recently secured a sub 21 minutes time in her local Roding Valley 5k Park Run, a feat that would be difficult to surpass at any age.

West Hatch High School cross country team coach Claire Huggins said: "Molly is certainly one of the strongest runners we have had at West Hatch in recent years and we wish her very well having qualified for the County."

Fellow team coach Aaron D’Silva said: "Well done to everyone who ran in the prestigious event.

“Our 16 students performed extremely well in perfect, cold but sunny cross-country conditions."