Hannah England underlined her massive potential with a sensational display to help Great Britain win the European Team Championships in Leiria, Portugal.

The Oxford athlete was only due to be running in the 1,500m, but after Jenny Meadows withdrew, England was called upon to compete in the 800m.

And a stunning burst down the home straight saw her smash her personal best by more than two seconds, and break the magical two-minute mark as she came home in fourth place.

Yesterday, England claimed fourth once again in the 1,500m – admitting that her run the previous day had taken a bit out of her.

However, she was still thrilled to have excelled at an event where Europe’s top athletes were all in action.

In the 800m race, England went to back of the field from the gun and was about 15 metres behind leader Yuliya Krevsun when she went through the bell in 58.22 seconds.

Despite being in 11th at the 600m point, she sprinted home to record 1.59.94 seconds and achieve an A qualifying standard for the IAAF World Championships “They say that these championship races are going be tactical, but I went through 200m in 29 seconds and was at the back of the field,” she said of her 800m run.

“It took me by surprise, but I just tried to stay calm as I know that I haven’t got the raw speed of some of these girls and I can’t go out that fast.

“I am just really pleased to run that time – I can’t believe I broke the two-minute mark. It’s such a great feeling.”

England was again towards the rear for the 1,500m race, but despite steadily working her way through the field, lacked the pace in the latter stages to trouble the winners, finishing in 4.09.25.

“I was feeling great before the race and mentally you wouldn’t have known I’d have raced the day before,” she said.

“But my legs felt like they had definitely raced later on in the race.

“I think I ran well though – although I would have liked a bit more of a kick in the home straight to try and get third.

“Having said that, I passed a major milestone on Saturday that I didn’t have in my sights for some time yet which was a lovely bonus.

“I didn’t get pushed around at the back of the pack which was another bonus and it would be great to go to Berlin (for the World Championships in August) now – that’s my only aim at the moment.”