A NORTH Hampshire schoolgirl is celebrating after winning two gold medals at the South of England Indoor Athletics Championships.

Holly Mills, a Year 10 pupil at The Clere School, won the under-17 women’s long jump and 60m hurdles at the championships, which were held at Lee Valley Athletic Centre.

She broke a long-standing Andover Athletic Club record on her way to victory in the long jump, leaping 5.91m to break a club record that had stood since 1976. All five of Mills’ leaps were better than any other athlete managed and she won by an impressive margin of 64cm.

In the 60m hurdles, Mills improved through the rounds. She finished second in her heat but a change in set up helped her achieve a new personal best of 9.05s to finish second in her semi-final, earning a place in the final.

Mills got quicker again in the final, leading at the first hurdle and holding on to win in 8.95s, another new personal best.

Mark Pasternakiewicz, PE curriculum leader at The Clere School, said: “We are extremely proud of yet another fantastic achievement from Holly.

“This is proof of her ability and her commitment. She puts in lots of hours and is a fantastic competitor.

“She is very modest about her achievements and is a superb role model for any student wishing to achieve high standards of performance.”