EARLIER this month Peebles athlete Susan Ridley returned to the top rung of European athletics by claiming a bronze medal in Italy.

Following a turbulent 18 months with injury, the former Scottish champion faced a top quality field of 87 athletes at the European Masters Cross-Country Championships.

The mum of three became European Champion in the W40 age group at the same location almost a decade ago.

Competing in the Over 50s event, Susan put her problems of late behind her to vie for the lead throughout most of the race.

The four laps course had fewer hills than on her previous visit to Ancona, with more flat grassland.

A near fall from a bad stumble during the second lap aggravated a recently healed injury making the final two laps even tougher.

Although Susan eventually began to lose touch with the leading two Italians she kept pushing on to finish third - only 30 seconds adrift of the winner and well clear of her long-term Belgian rival, Corinne deBaets in fourth.

Susan also led Team GB to team bronze behind Italy and Germany.