HARRIET Knowles-Jones has picked up a significant award as she prepares to start her senior athletics career.

The Warrington Athletics Club runner was named as European athlete of the month for December by European Athletics.

Knowles-Jones’ performance at the European Cross Country Championships earned her the award as she stormed through the under 20s women’s field to claim gold in Samorin, Slovakia.

The race was the last of a successful junior career for Knowles-Jones, a former student of Ravenbank Primary School and Lymm High School.

“This means so much! Thank you everyone for your incredible support,” the 19-year-old wrote on Twitter in reaction to her award.

The prize comes as a big boost to Knowles-Jones just before she kicks off her racing year.

She has been chosen to run for the Great Britain senior team in the Great Edinburgh International cross country race on Saturday against athletes from Europe and the USA.

Knowles-Jones has form in the Scottish capital after winning the junior women’s race at last year’s event.

BBC1 will broadcast the action from Edinburgh live on television on Saturday.

Knowles-Jones races at 1.55pm.