Northern Ireland champion Paul McKee failed in his bid to make the final of the 400 metres at the European Championships in Munich.

The Belfast schoolteacher finished a very creditable fifth in the opening semi-final in a time of 45.92 secs.

Running in an Ireland vest, McKee, was lying third with 50 metres remaining, but ran out of steam to miss out on a qualifying slot for Thursday's final.

Birchfield's Daniel Caines stormed through to take victory in a time of 45.43.

On Tuesday McKee qualified for the semi-final in coming second in his heat with a time of 46.03.