ABINGDON’S Ben Claridge took silver in the 800m at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships.

Claridge won his heat in 1:50.64 to qualify for the final, in which clear favourite Guy Learmonth led from the start.

Claridge was the only athlete to go with him, Learmonth’s time being 1:47.43 with Claridge running a personal best of 1:48.06.

He said of the final: “I came into these championships just wanting to make the final but anything can happen and I came out with a silver medal, so I’m buzzing.

“My indoor season hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped but you can’t complain about a personal best.

“My race plan was to sit on Guy. I expected him to take it out and I held on to him better than I thought. I executed the plan perfectly.”