BROMSGROVE and Redditch star Sharon Tonks European Cham-pionships dream is over.

Racewalker Tonks was unsuccesful in her aim of achieving a qualifying time at the final attampt in the fourth Leamington Grand Prix of Race Walking at the weekend.

And with none of the British athletes making the mark UK Athletics will not be sending a team to Russia.

A strong field for the 757m circuit had three choices: a 'do or die' race for the Grand Prix; to target the national title regardless of time; or a carefully-paced attempt for a qualifying time.

Despite recent problems Redditch ace Tonks decided on the latter.

From the gun she and reigning champion Lisa Kehler set about a hard even-paced schedule.

Although a full ten seconds too fast at the end of the first 757m lap they soon settled into the correct pace.

As they approached 5km it was clear it would be a very destructive race with leading athletes dropping out including Sarah Jane Cattermole who had travelled from Australia for the event.

Kehler was clearly in pain with a knee injury and Tonks looked uncomfortable. At this point Mexican Yvonne Cassin took the lead.

By middle distance around half the field in the women's race and a high percentage of the men had retired. Worcester AC's Wendy Bennett moved into second place and Sharon was suffering badly.

Although unable to prevent the two leading athletes pulling away she doggedly held on to third place overall. The Grand Prix was won by Cassin with Bennett second

Bennett became UK Champion with Sharon second and Nikky Phillips third.