MELANIE Purkiss couldn't help but smile after being named in place of Joice Maduaka in Britain's 4x100 metres relay squad for this weekend's European Cup in Florence.

It's the first time Purkiss has ever been selected for the sprint relay as a senior and, ironically, the call-up comes at a time when she is concentrating on the longer 400m discipline.

As a junior, Purkiss excelled in the shorter sprints and pocketed 4x100m silver for Great Britain at the European Under-20 Championships of 1997.

But having looked destined to pursue a career in 200m running, she switched to the one-lap event last season and instantly came up trumps with a Commonwealth 4x400 silver for England in Manchester last summer.

The 24-year-old, who has also been named in 4x400m relay for Florence, confessed: "I'm quite shocked really. I ran a 23.86 200m at Loughborough a couple of weeks ago and, ironically, I seem to be running faster 200s now than when I was actually concentrating on the sprints.

"The added strength I've gained from 400m training has a lot to do with it and I know my speed has improved."

Purkiss jets off to Italy on Thursday having only just landed back on home soil from a double date with England in Latvia.

She ran 53.5 to finish third in the opening meeting in Riga and was third again in the second match in Ventspils, but in a wind-hampered time of 54.3.

For now she is a fair way short of the 52.99 personal best she set in July last year, but the Otterbourne-based runner is making steady progress - and enjoying every minute of it.

She said: "Because I'm fairly new to the 400m, it's a case of remembering how to run it. But I feel really strong and I'm loving it.

"I keep thinking it's later in the season than it actually is, but some athletes are only just coming out and we're still six weeks away from the AAAs. What I've got to remember is that I'm still a second up on the time I was running at this stage last year. I'm fitter and stronger than I've ever been."

With plenty of faster girls making the trip to Florence, Purkiss is not banking on running in either relay, but she is determined to cherish the experience.

She said: "I can't wait. My chances of running are pretty slim, but it will be nice to be part of the GB squad. I've never been selected for the European Cup before and it'll be good to actually be out there instead of watching it on TV like I nomally do!"

Former Southampton resident Iwan Thomas is also off to Florence. The ex-European and Commonwealth 400m champion, now based at Loughborough, has been named in the men's 4x400 relay squad.

After a mysteriously poor run at the recent Loughborough International, Thomas got back to winning ways in Riga.

The Welshman led the way in 46.12 seconds, with fellow Briton Sean Baldock third in 46.79.

Portsmouth's Michael East is Britain's 1500m representative in Florence. The Commonwealth champion heads this year's GB rankings with 3.36.28.