SOUTH Cheshire aces Hayley Jones and Katey Read are national champions.

South Cheshire College student Jones, 17, powered to victory in the U20 Women 200m final at the AAA Championships at Bedford International Stadium on Sunday.

And Read, 20, from Wrenbury, took top spot in the U23 Women 100m Hurdles the same day.

For Jones, from Stapeley, it could spark an even bigger celebration if her performance lands her a spot in the Great Britain team to take part in the IAAF World Junior Championships, in Beijing, China, next month.

Her scintillating personal best of exactly 24 seconds is just five hundredths short of the qualifying time for the squad. Her 100m best of 11:71 is just one hundredth away.

But as she stands at the top of the UK Junior Women's rankings at 100m, 200m and 400m for this year, selectors will find her almost impossible to ignore.

Jones will be in Loughborough today with a 4x100m relay team trying to eclipse the 45-seconds mark to earn a seat on the plane that way.

Jones, who was tipped for stardom by legend Daley Thompson after winning the Senior Girls' 400m at the English Schools Track and Field Championships recently, could get a call-up this week.

She said: 'I have my fingers crossed! It would be fantastic to get to Beijing and I'm really hoping I do get a call.

'It went really well for me on Sunday. I went into the race with the fastest time, and that gives me confidence rather than adding pressure. Everyone is happy and proud of me.'

For Read, a midwifery student, being named national champion is a huge high point in a disappointing year.

Demanding theory and practical studies, which include regular day and night shifts at Leighton Hospital, have taken their toll on her strict training regime and affected performances.

But the Liverpool Harriers AC star, who trains twice a week at Crewe's Cumberland Arena, found her form to take gold in 14:53.

She said: 'I've not been doing too well this season. I've been over-tired and have been plagued by a knee injury, so I wasn't expecting much.

'It is still slowly sinking in as people congratulate me on being a national champion! I didn't clip a hurdle and, although I can go faster than that, I'm delighted.

'Now I just want to finish what's left of the season in a positive way, get my knee sorted, and try to build on this win next year.'

Read will represent a North of England select team in a competition against other regions at Derby on August 13.

The wins are super achievements for both girls, who will be able to compete in the same age bracket for at least two more years.

Meanwhile, Macclesfield Harriers star Rob Blake, 14, from El-worth, set a club-record time of 23:20 in winning the 100m, and also scooped gold in the 100m (11:40), at the final round of the UKA Young Athletes League at Wirral AC.

His throw of 10m 92cm then earned fourth in the shot put, before he helped the 4x100m relay team set a club record, finishing first in 3:50:00.