HAMMER-THROWING star Katie Head broke an all-time British record on her way to winning a gold medal at the Southern Champions.

The 14-year-old, who is a pupil at William Edwards School in Grays, launched the hammer 56.89m at Crystal Palace to win the under-15 girls title.

The distance smashed the previous British best, set six years ago, by more than a metre-and-a-half.

The record has been in Head’s sights ever since she won the English Schools Championships last month.

She will now be hoping to wrap up a magnificent season with another gold medal at the English Under-15 Championships in Bedford at the end of the month.

Thurrock Harriers’ youngster Hayley Instance won a fine bronze medal in the under-13 girls 800m Instance ran a personal best time of 2m 33.83s to get her hands on the medal.

Also winning a bronze medal was Aveley sprinter Modupe Shokunbi.

Shokubi, who runs for Havering, clocked 25.33s in the under-17 women’s 200m.

Thurrock Harriers’ Joe Winn was fifth in the under-17 men’s high jump with a best clearance of 1.85m.