Teddington-based Andy Vernon finished third at the European Cross Country Championships in Serbia on Sunday, helping Team GB to a men’s team bronze into the bargain,.

The 27-year-old St Mary’s University graduate, who finished second at the Richmond Running Festival 10K in September, clocked 29 minutes 35 seconds to finish 24 seconds behind winner Spaniard Alemayehu Bezabeh in Belgrade.

Fellow St Mary’s University alumni Steph Twell, who finished 15th in 27:27 over the shorter distance, helped the GB women to a team gold medal with Gemma Steel claiming individual silver to lead them home.