UK Athletics' main sponsor, Norwich Union, has paid bonuses for the first time to Great Britain's Spar European Cup team, who competed in Florence last weekend.

Although he didn't run in the relay because of a slight Achilles niggle, former Southampton resident Iwan Thomas gets a cut of the £3,000 win bonus for the men's 4x400m relay squad, while Team Solent's Melanie Purkiss receives a share of the £1000 for the women's second-placed 4x400m squad.

Alastair Marks, sponsorship manager for Norwich Union, said: "As athletics' biggest supporter, we want to ensure that the best available athletes compete for their country.

"We are delighted to reward the athletes who contributed to the success of the Norwich Union GB team in Florence.