KINGSWINFORD cyclo-cross star Hannah Payton picked up the perfect Christmas present after being crowned the National Trophy Series champion for the third time in her career.

She clinched a hat-trick of titles in commanding style by running away with the elite women's race at Shrewsbury to make it four wins in the five race series.

The only blot in an otherwise unblemished campaign was a fourth placing at Abergavenny.

The imperious Payton who was riding for Team Kinesis UK, took the lead from the word go in Shrewsbury and gradually increased the advantage to finish over a minute clear of closest rival Emily Wadsworth with Annie Simpson third, while local rival Beth Crumpton came home in sixth place.

She said: "It was really muddy conditions at Shrewsbury so I just wanted to get clear at the start and keep out of trouble, while making sure I didn't get caught at the same time."

Hannah now has her sights set on the National Cyclo-Cross Championships which take place at Bradford on Sunday, January 8.

She faces a tough test as Belgium based Nikki Harris will start a warm favourite.

However, Hannah has been in the form of her life and admitted: "Things have gone much better than I thought. I didn't know what to expect this season as I 've started a university course in Birmingham.

"It will be great to spend Christmas at home as I've been in Belgium for the past three years."

Hannah also intends to compete in a World Cup meeting in Belgium which is followed by the World Championships which take place in Luxembourg -but her selection fro Great Britain could well depend on how she performs at Bradford.

There was further local success at Shrewsbury when Stourbridge Cycling Club member Isla Rowntree who was representing Islabikes finished second in the women's veterans race behind Bolsdover and District's Maddi Smith.

That was good enough to give former national champion Isla the overall title.