Adam Gemili continued his strong start to the season with a blistering showing to help the Great Britain 4x100m break a championship record at the European Team Championships at Gateshead on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Dartford star - who suffered an ill-fated semi-final exit from the same event at London 2012 after mistiming a handover - ran the opening leg of the race before passing to Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

The opening two legs gave James Ellington and anchor James Dasaolu the chance to tear home in first place in 38.89sec, the fastest time by any European team so far this year.

Meanwhile Gemili, the reigning world junior champion, is set to take part in his first international competition of the season in the Czech Republic on Thursday.

He will line-up in a field containing Dwain Chambers and Kim Collins at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike Event, part of the IAAF World Challenge circuit.

Picture: Barry Goodwin