ROB Bugden from Penryn, a former pupil at Penair School in Truro, has been selected to run for Great Britain under 23 men for the inaugral under 23 European Cross Country Championships to be held in Italy on December 10.

Aged 21, Rob was fourth in the Euro trials on Saturday in Liverpool but was the third Briton home which gave him automatic selection.

The former Penair and England international schoolboy said after the race: "I felt that I raced sensibly as I didn't go out too fast. On the second lap I started to pick off a few runners and although hurting on the final lap I knew I was in line for my first GB vest and nothing was going to stop me from winning that. All the hard work that I have put in over the last few months has paid off and I am delighted and honoured to be representing Great Britain."

He has had a good winter so far with two impressive Gwent League wins in Cardiff and Bath and with his club Bristol and West he won his first ever road relay medal last month. He puts his good form down to the three weeks altitude training that he had in France in August and he would like to thank Avon Athletic Association and Capio Duchy Hospital, Truro, for sponsorship which helped him to fund the trip.

Rob is currently studying sports coaching at UWIC, Cardiff and is still fiercely proud of his Penryn/Cornish roots and is hoping to have room in his bags for his Cornish flag to take to San Giorgio su Legnano in Italy.

Rob started running aged nine when at Penryn Junior School and then went on to Penair School where he had a great deal of success at cross country, being captain and helping Penair win two national schools titles under the guidance of John Willcocks.