NATHAN Douglas has pulled out of this weekend’s England Senior Track & Field Championships in order to prepare for his second major competition of the year.

The Oxford City athlete had entered tomorrow's triple jump in Manchester.

But the 35-year-old will now stay at his Birmingham training base ahead of the European Championships which take place in Berlin on August 6-12.

Douglas, who finished fifth at the Commonwealth Games in April, said: “I was going to compete this weekend, but I’ve decided to get additional training in instead.

“I'm just trying to tighten up as much as possible to help performance.”

However, there is expected to be nine Oxfordshire athletes in action at the Manchester Regional Arena.

Abingdon’s Ben Claridge competes in the 200m, with Oxford City’s Tim Stephens going in the 400m hurdles and Isaac Kitchen-Smith, of Thames Valley Harriers, lining up in the 100m.

City’s Hannah England has entered the 800m and 1,500m, while clubmate Ella Turner is in 400m action.

Alice Hopkins and Jade O’Dowda, who also represent City, are doubling up as they are both in 100m hurdles and long jump action.

Radley’s Kathryn Woodcock competes in the discus, with Belgrave Harriers’ Madeline Shott lining up in the 3,000m walk.