EMILY Ford clinched a bronze medal as part of Great Britain’s women’s four at the World Championships for under 23s.

The 20-year-old, who missed out on selection for last year’s edition, more than made up for that omission during Saturday’s final on the water at Plovdiv.

The British boat matched their American counterparts, the defending champions, during the first 500m.

Canada, who edged Ford and her crewmates during Thursday’s heat, made a move during the race’s second half to challenge for gold.

However the former Grange School Rowing Club captain, along with Melissa Wilson, Holly Hill and Sam Courty, resisted a sprint finish from Australia to finish third in 6:56.83.

The United States held on to a title they took in Varese 12 months earlier.

Ford, a student at Newcastle University, helped contribute to a British medals haul of six – three silver and as many bronze – at the regatta.

“The under 23s have really stepped on during these championships,” said Sir David Tanner, performance director for GB Rowing.

“I’m sure we have the talent for the future in this team, and we shall look forward to them challenging for places during the Tokyo 2020 Olympiad.”

Ford has shown promising form all season.

She attracted the attention of national team selectors after finishing seventh in her age category during an assessment over 5km for British rowers in February.

Along with Courty, from Bath University, she was a race-winner in a four during the International Huegel Regatta in Germany.

Cambridge University duo Wilson and Hill joined them to win class honours at Henley Women’s Regatta in June.