GEMMA Bridge could not hide her delight at being selected for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The Oxford City AC race walker has been named in England’s 75-strong athletics squad for April’s championships on the Gold Coast, Australia.

She is joined by clubmate and triple-jumper Nathan Douglas, who at the age of 34 will compete in his third Commonwealth Games.

Bridge started race walking full-time only earlier this year and made her international debut in August, when competing in the IAAF World Championships.

The 24-year-old’s progress has been impressive, with her personal best nearly five minutes faster than the Commonwealth qualifying time.

Bridge, from Oxford, cannot wait to compete in the 20km event next year.

She said: “It’s exciting.

“I guess it’s a bit scary, because it’s such a massive trip and I don’t know what to expect in terms of the weather or anything.

“London was my first championships and although it gives me some experience, I also feel quite inexperienced.”

Douglas added: "I feel really proud.

"It was one element of relief at the time.

"Qualifying is the first step, it's not everything, because you want to go there and do well."