HAMMER thrower Jessica Mayho says she was on cloud nine after winning a silver medal at a national championships.

The Cononley-based England international, who is part of a well-known Keighley sporting family, claimed second place at the Muller Senior British Athletic Championships held in Birmingham.

The event was won by Sophie Hitchon, who was the bronze medallist from Rio Olympics 2016.

Her silver medal marks the culmination of what she dubbed a 'rollercoaster' year since she underwent surgery.

Mayho, who works at the University of Leeds, said: "Going into the British Athletic Championships I was ranked ninth, therefore to achieve second place was a real positive step in the right direction and shows I can peak for a high class competition when necessary.

"After having surgery in August last year and completing an intensive 22 weeks of rehabilitation, I finally started back training in January of this year.

"Rather than seeing the injury as a negative and a disappointment, I used the injury as an opportunity to really hone in on weak areas of my body in order to come back stronger than before.

"Being on my own journey and not being able to do the typical winter training of a hammer thrower, I found a whole new perspective and respect for my body and the event.

"Since then I have found it important to celebrate the 'little wins' in my training as I have progressed through the months of hard work."

This British silver medal comes just a month after she was crowned North of England champion. It also caps off a memorable summer for Mayho after she met some of England's World Cup squad, including defenders John Stones and Harry Maguire, and manager Gareth Southgate at their St George's Park base in May this year.