RISING Witham athletics star Jessica Hopkins is now ranked second in the UK in her age group at the pentathlon after a stunning display at the English Schools Combined Events Championship.

The 14-year-old Maltings Academy pupil finished second overall in her Under-15 section at the championships in Exeter as she helped the Essex Under-15 girls' team to victory.

Hopkins' success means she has jumped from fourth in the UK Under-15 pentathlon rankings to second as well as lying 20th in the UK's all-time rankings and she is grateful for the help she has received to achieve such a high standard this year.

She said: "I would like to thank everyone who supported me throughout everything and those who have encouraged me.

"I'm so pleased to be a student at Maltings Academy; they saw the potential in me and supported me all the way.

"Also a massive thank you to my coaches Steve Mitchell and Sarah Besford.

"Without them pushing me to my limits and making me work extra hard, none of this would be possible."

Hopkins competed over five disciplines at Exeter.

In the 75 metre hurdles, she ran 11.77 seconds, which was only 0.03s off her personal best (PB), before a shot putt throw of 12.09m, a high jump of 1.60m and long jump of 5.05m.

After the four events, the Witham star was tied in first position so the gold medal battle came down to the 800m.

It is her weakest event, so Hopkins knew she had to run a PB and while she broke her previous best by five seconds, her time of two minutes 38.5 seconds wasn't quite enough to take the top step of the podium.

However, her second place means she will now go to Athlone in Ireland to represent England at the home countries internationals in December.

The Essex Under-15 girls' team took gold and broke the English Schools all-time record by 425 points.