JESSICA Judd opened up her 2015 track season with a gold medal at her first British Universities Championships (BUCs) in Bedford.

The 19-year-old from Canvey, running for Loughborough University, was the class act in the field and after coming through a heat and semi-final, powered to a win in a time of 2m 4.99s in Monday’s final.

Judd, who is in her first year at Loughborough, has just returned from an Easter training block at altitude in Boulder, USA.

After her win, she tweeted: “Nice way to start the track season winning at BUCs. Nice weekend away with @Lufbraathletics too.”

Basildon AC’s Gemma Kersey, running for Middlesex University, won a silver medal in her final appearance at BUCs in the 1,500m.

Kersey, 23, who won gold in the same event last year, was pipped to the title this time round by Great Britain junior international Amy Griffiths.

Kersey finished in 4m 21.74s and said afterwards: “It’s good to be back racing and coming away with a silver medal.”