CANVEY Island's Jessica Judd set a new personal best to reach the semi-finals of the 1500m at the World Championships in London tonight.

Judd - who was the first British athlete on track - finished sixth in four minutes 3.73 seconds.

And she was full of smiles at the end of the race.

"I really can't believe it and the crowd was just amazing," said Judd.

"I probably went off too fast just like my dad told me not to do but I'm so happy.

"I thought I would have to run the race of my life to get through and it was great to see six of us break away.

"I can't wait to get out and do it again now."

Judd, a former Castle View School pupil, will run in the semi-finals on Saturday.