Charlotte Browning has bounced back to win the under-15 race at the UK Inter-County Cross Country Championships in Nottingham.

The Chichester High runner has had a troubled season due to illness. But she claimed the event at the first attempt just 12 months after becoming the first Sussex athlete to triumph at under-13s.

It followed her success in the County Schools' Championships last week.

When Charlotte was ill, Nicola Sykes (Bedfordshire) emerged as a contender for top British under-15 runner by taking the South of England Championships.

But Charlotte, the more experienced runner, held off her challenge at Nottingham to secure victory by 20 metres.

She said: "I lot of people have been saying that I would not be able to get my form back but I think I proved them wrong.

"I hoped I'd win it after my County Championship run but expected some strong challenges. Nicola and Leonie Smith (Hampshire) were dangers. But I knew I had the beating both of them, particularly in the final sprint. That gave me a lot of confidence.

"It was windy and, being quite slim, I didn't enjoy that, but I had enough in the end.

"It is probably my biggest achievement after recovering from my cold and virus."

She now plans to compete in the national clubs championship at Bristol next week and next month's All England Schools' Championships in Chelmsford.

Katy Moore (Brighton and Hove) produced her best cross country run to finish 33rd. The Heath twins, Cheryl and Jenna, from Hastings, were 48th and 49th in Sussex's best ever performance at the age group.

Craig Ivemy (Hailsham) finished sixth on his Championship debut at under-17s to suggest he could join Charlotte as a medallist at the All England Schools' Championships next month.

Jack Vail (Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College) was an impressive 30th at under-20s. Tom Bilham (Chichester) was 26th at under-15s Matthew Dumigan (Worthing Harriers) was 33rd.