CANVEY’S British international middle-distance runner Jessica Judd has split with coach Rob Denmark.

The pair had worked together for two years but Judd is now working with George Gandy at Loughborough University.

The 19-year-old, who is a student at Loughborough, will also be advised by her father Mike, British Athletics has confirmed.

Denmark and Judd linked up in September 2012 after the teenager had split with previous coach Jeremy Freeman.

It seemed the perfect fit with Denmark, who himself was a world-class athlete in his day and also hailed from Canvey.

Denmark helped guide Judd to her first ever World Championships in 2013 and then to both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships this past summer.

Judd was fourth in the 800m final in Glasgow and seventh in the European final in Zurich.

But a decision has now been made to end the partnership.

Ironically, Denmark is now also based in Loughborough after taking up the job as a coach in British Athletics’ endurance programme.

A British Athletics spokeswoman said she did not think Denmark’s new job was the reason for the split.

She added: “Rob is a very talented coach and Jess is a highly talented individual and both will continue to receive the best support from British Athletics.”

Judd’s new coach Gandy is a well-respected figure in athletics, coaching a number of the country’s leading middle and long distance athletes over a long career.

Meanwhile, Judd set the fastest leg of the day in the junior women’s race at the English Cross-Country Relays last weekend.

She was making her first cross-country appearance of the season in Mansfield, lining up alongside her Chelmsford AC team-mates Christy Dailly and Jess Swain.

Dailly (10m 14.9s), and Swain (10m 23.35s) gave Judd a solid platform and she flew through the field to push Chelmsford up to 14th spot.

Her time of 8m 11.50s was comfortably the fastest of the day.

In the under-17 women’s race, Jodie Judd led her team off (9m 6.10s) before handing over to Megan Williams (9m 31.25s) and finally Ellie Baker, who ran a fine final leg of 8m 53.65s to push Chelmsford up to sixth overall.