COLCHESTER sprinter Charlie Dobson has claimed a magnificent gold at the European Athletics Championships, in Munich.

The Colchester Harriers athlete helped Great Britain's men produce a composed display under pressure to take the 4x400m relay title ahead of Belgium and France.

Dobson, along with Matthew Hudson-Smith, Lewis Davey and Alex Haydock-Wilson led from the front to finish in a season's best 2:59.35, holding off a late charge from Belgium down the home straight.

Hudson-Smith, who had won the individual 400m gold, said on BBC Sport: "This one feels a lot better and sweeter because we have got a team and our reserves. It is just amazing.

"We have got such a great support system, family and friends. Without them I would not be here.

"These guys next to me are the future, the 4x4 guys are back and are ready to take over."

Dobson has bounced back brilliantly after suffering a stress fracture to his leg during a warm-up at the World Athletics Relays in May 2021.

The Colchester-born athlete spent ten months sidelined as a result but returned to racing for the first time at the Loughborough Indoor Open, in February.

Dobson can now add a gold medal achievement at a major athletics event to his CV, as his career goes from strength to strength.

Dobson also finished fourth in the men's 200m final.

He clocked a time of 20.34 seconds, behind winner Zharnel Hughes, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Italian Filippo Tortu.