HURDLER Katey Read achieved a life-long ambition by taking gold for England, on her international debut in Norway on Saturday.

The Wrenbury ace (pictured) got her first call-up after a series of stunning performances - smashing her 60m hurdles personal best in each of her last four runs.

She won her event at the UK City Indoor Challenge at Glasgow (8.53secs) and the Northern Championships at Sheffield (8.44secs) last month, taking her to sixth on the GB senior lists for 2007.

Selected for the England senior team for the first time, she kept her cool in Bergen at an international meeting featuring Slovakia, Norway, Denmark and the Dominican Republic.

She again crushed her previous best to win the heat (8.43secs), before taking gold in the final with a stunning time of 8.33secs.

Trainee midwife Katey, 20, credited a lot of hard work and a new training regime, under the guidance of Graham Knight, for her success.

The former Malbank School pupil said: 'Running for England and winning is something I've always wanted. It's what you slog your guts out for, and I'm delighted I've done it.

'It was a great experience to be travel with the squad. I'm creeping up the rankings and going faster than I ever thought I could. My confidence is high and I want to keep my place in the England team.'