East Renfrewshire runner Erin Wallace hopes getting a taste of the prestigious Diamond League can help her carve out a glittering athletics career.

Wallace was handed the role of pacemaker at the recent Diamond League meeting in Gateshead, helping fellow Scot Laura Muir secure victory in the 1,500m.

It was valuable experience for the 21-year-old Giffnock North Athletics Club member, who aims to put it to good use as she continues her sporting journey.

Wallace said: “Pacemaking the Diamond League was a good introduction to international racing on the big stage.

“I thought I would feel a lot of pressure pacing such a class field but it just felt like a normal race, which was quite nice.

“I managed to hit the time that was asked for and in the correct splits, so I was very happy with how it went.

“I got the full experience of staying in the athletes’ hotel and preparing for the race as if I was doing it, which will hopefully help for future competitions.

“Hopefully, next time I am doing a Diamond league, I’ll be racing instead of pacing.”

Wallace is also celebrating her first senior appearance in a GB vest, having taken part in the 1,500m at the European Athletics Team Championships Super League event in Chorzów, Poland, on Sunday.

She was in impressive form at the Silesian Stadium as a determined run saw her record a time of 4:15.65 – less than a second behind winner Gaia Sabbatini, of Italy.

Portuguese ace Salome Afonso was runner-up, with Marta Perez, of Spain, finished third and squeezing Wallace out of a place on the podium.

Poland were the overall winners at the championships, with Italy in second place and Great Britain & Northern Ireland finishing third.

There was also reason for Giffnock North teenager Alyson Bell to be cheerful as she flew the flag for East Renfrewshire while representing Team GB for the first time at the Loughborough International.

Bell, 18, recorded a new personal best in the women’s individual 100m guest race, securing second place in a time of 11.73.

She then got her team off to a strong start in the 4x100m relay before they were edged out by one-tenth of a second to finish in runner-up spot.