PEMBROKESHIRE'S Heather Lewis has thanked everyone back home for their 'unbelievable support' after she finished seventh overnight in the Women's 20KM Walk final at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

In inevitably hot and tough conditions, the 24-year-old from Clerkenhill Farm crossed the line at Currumbin Beachfront in 01:41:45.

The race was won by home athlete Jemima Montag in 01:32:50, with New Zealand's Alana Barber second in 01:34:18.

Lewis' Welsh teammate, Bethan Davies, won the first athletics medal of the week for Team Wales, taking bronze with 01:36:08.

Telegraph Sport later contacted Heather in Australia, and the Pembrokeshire Harrier said she loved every moment of the race.

"I would like to say thank you so much to all family and friends in Pembrokeshire, the support has been unbelievable.

"I feel so proud to have represented Wales and enjoyed every moment, I'm so excited for the future and I know I will get stronger. 

Pembrokeshire Harrier Heather, formerly of Sir Thomas Picton School, found herself at the back of the field in the early going, but progressively picked athletes off as the race wore on.

She climbed from 12th to ninth and remained there for the majority of the race, but in the final four kilometres, finished strongly to pass Erika Kelly (Isle of Man) and Grace Wanjiru Njue (Kenya) and secure seventh.

Women's 20KM Walk:

1, Jemima Montag (Aus) 01:32:50.

2, Alana Barber (NZ) 01:34:18.

3, Bethan Davies (WAL) 01:36:08.

4, Khushbir Kaur (IND) 01:39:21.

5, Gemma Bridge (ENG) 01:39:31.

6, Beki Smith (AUS) 01:40:41.

7, Heather Lewis (WAL) 01:41:45

8, Grace Wanjiru Njue (KEN) 01:42:23.

9, Erika Kelly (IOM) 01:47:29.

10, Fadekemi Florence Olude (NGR) 01:49:31.

11, Lindah Waweru (KEN) 01:53:41.

DQ: Soumya Baby (IND).

DQ: Claire Tallent (AUS).