Sheffield's Dean sets her sights on top-six in Barcelona

The 28-year-old Hallamshire Harrier comfortably finished third in her heat with her time of 9:46.43minutes the ninth fastest overall from the 22-strong field in Barcelona.

Dean failed to make it out of the heats at the Europeans four years ago in Gothenburg, finishing eighth, and will race in her first major international final tomorrow.

And despite Azerbaijan's Layes Abdullayeva clocking 9:40.42 to finish as the fastest qualifier Dean is adamant a place in the top six is a realistic ambition.

"I found myself at the front and enjoyed the rhythm I had there so I stayed there and it was enough to see me through to the final," said Dean.

"I couldn't believe we broke free and I felt a lot better than I actually expected. I wasn't sure what anyone else was going to do but it was just my aim to make the final.

"I've done that now and I would love to make it into the top six – that was my aim coming to Barcelona so I know that that is more realistic than I thought."

Meanwhile, British record holder Jo Jackson admitted her tenth place finish in the 20km race walk in Barcelona was a job well done after hitting her pre-championship target.

Just 12 months ago Jackson suffered disappointment at the World Championships in Berlin as she was disqualified.

But after producing a spirited performance at the European Championships – where for a time she stayed with eventual Russian winner Olga Kaniskina – Jackson was more than content.

"I'm pleased – top 10 was my target and I came tenth so I can't ask for more than that," said Jackson, who spent six weeks at altitude in the French Pyrenees prior to these championships. "The best thing for me was getting round without any cards.

"So I've gone from getting a disqualification last year to getting nothing this year. I've worked really hard on technique over the winter and it obviously paid off.

"To be honest, I didn't want to think about last year at all while I was in the race. There was no point dwelling on it, I just wanted to focus on this year and technically I was a lot better.

"I'm happy – it was a hard race but it definitely made up for Berlin.

"I was lucky that most of the race was in the shade so I never really noticed the heat."

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