Gareth Turnbull set an 800 metres personal best in winning the British Universities Sports Association Championship in Bedford on Monday.

The Belfast athlete recorded a time of 1:47.94 in the race at Bedford which cut more than half a second off his previous best.

The win augurs very well for Turnbull's chances of doing well in his specialist event the 1500m later this season.

The former St Malachy' College student is hoping to compete in both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships.

On this form, he looks certain to achieve his goal and he will be fancied to reach the 1500m final in Manchester.

Turnbull's next race will be in the Loughborough International meeting on 18 May - where he set consecutive 1500m personal bests over the last two years.

Massey gold

Another St Malachy's old boy, Conor Sweeney was also successful at the university meeting, taking the 1500 metres title with a time of 3:44.32.

Sweeney's performance suggests he is also capable of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games.

Another Northern Ireland athlete Eva Massey also claimed a gold in Bedford.

The Commonwealth Games hopeful set a championship record of 15.32m in her specialist shot event.

Massey also claimed a silver in the discus at the meeting.