Perthshire hurdler Eilidh Child took a giant leap towards the World Championships in Berlin as she smashed her personal best in Bedford.

The 22-year-old clocked an impressive 55.52 seconds in the 400m hurdles, just 0.02 seconds outside the Great Britain 'A' standard qualifying time.

The former Edinburgh University student now has the qualifying times for both the European under 23 championships in Lithuania this year and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 as well as the World Championship B standard.

"The World Championships in Berlin would be a bonus if I got there," said Scottish champion Child. "My main target is the Euros but I'm still not there yet.

"If three other girls make qualifying times then I would have to win the British championship to make sure of a place.

"As for Berlin, if no other athlete achieves an A time, reaching the B standard puts me right in the frame for selection."