Double Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes has praised Oxford City star Hannah England after her selection for the Great Britain team for the European Indoor Championships in Turin next weekend.

England will compete in the 1500m in Italy in the event, which starts on March 6.

After her breakthrough season last year when she improved her outdoor personal best to 4.06.19 when winning the NCAA title in the United States, England has continued her good form into the 2009 indoor campaign.

After running 4.30.29 for the mile in Gent on February 8, she took silver in the 1500m at the European trials, before improving her indoor personal best to 4.09.90 when finishing third at the Aviva Grand Prix on Sunday to confirm her selection for Team GB.

Holmes, who has taken England under her wing in the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ scheme said: “I would like to congratulate Hannah and her coach Bud Baldaro on selection.

“One of the main aims of ‘On Camp with Kelly’ is to assist the athletes to have successful senior careers, and it’s great to see Hannah moving through from the junior ranks.

“Competing at the European Indoors will be a great experience for her.

“I am sure that she will perform well and learn a lot.”

England said: “My aim in Turin will be to reach the final.

“Once I am there anything can happen.

“After just missing out on the Olympics last year, it means a lot to be selected for the European Indoors.

“It makes me even more motivated for the outdoor season.”