TWO City of Salisbury athletes received special invitations to compete at the weekend’s British Athletics Championships in Birmingham and were among the youngest there, running against the country’s topflight internationals.

For 400m hurdler Lizzie Clifford, it was her second appearance at the event.

Outstanding 400m prospect Jake Ness was also present last year - though only as a fan.

Up against established GB stars Eilidh Child and Martyn Rooney who went on to take this year’s national titles from their respective heats, Lizzie and Jake were both unable to make the finals.

But as under 20s competing against the country’s best they gained valuable experience and increased the likelihood of their own progress at top level.

Along with Austen Lane and Alex Mundell, they are putting final touches to their training for the English Schools National Championships this weekend, while Jake awaits imminent news of possible selection for the World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA.

On the road in the Lordshill 10k at Southampton, Kevin Daniels clocked 40mins 16sec and at the Hawksbury 5k on the Cotswold Way David Haworth was timed at 21mins 42sec