Their team finished with nine golds in the Italian city, which was one more than Ukraine.

The men's middle and long distance races proved to be particularly fruitful for the Portuguese, who triumphed over 800 metres, 1500m and 3000m, as well as the 3000m walk.

They also claimed the pentathlon title, while in women's competition they won gold in both relays, the high jump and the 3000m walk.

With 23 medals in total, Portugal also won the men's and women's team events.

Four Inas world records were broken with Croatia's Mikela Ristoski winning the women’s triple jump with a new best of 11.66m.

Norway's Bjorn Berger added two metres to the pole vault best, taking it to 4.61m, while Poland's Karolina Kucharczyka beat the women's 60m hurdles mark with a gold medal winning time of 9.19 sec.

The men's record in the event also fell, as Cape Verde's Gracelino Barbosa powered home in 8.49.

In the men's 400m, Spain's Delib Rodriguez set a new European record of 50.71.

Ukraine’s teenager Iuliia Shuliar was one of the star athletes as she picked up a hat-trick in the women’s 60m, 200m and 400m. 

Italy's Rafaelle Di Maggio delighted the home crowd by winning the 60m sprint at just 14-years-old.

Jose Costa Pereira, Inas Athletics Director and coach of the Portuguese team, said: “It was a fantastic Inas Athletics Indoor Championships in Ancona.

"With four world records broken, including special mention for Bjorg Berger from Norway with an incredible performance in the pole vault."