An Isle of Wight athlete is to represent Great Britain in the European Cross Country Championships at U23 level in Brussels on Sunday (December 10).

Henry McLuckie was picked after impressing in the Great Britain & Northern Ireland Cross Country Trial at Sefton Park in Liverpool on November 25.

To gain selection for the championships, athletes from across the UK had to make the top six in the U20, U23 and senior age categories.

Despite battling three muddy loops of the park, Henry managed to sit just behind the leading group of seniors.

As the race progressed into the final lap, he successfully held off other U23 athletes.

He finished in 29mins 38 secs — 18th overall and fifth out of the U23s.

Henry was picked for the championships following a meeting on the following Monday.

Coach Geoff Watkin said: "Henry has now achieved the difficult task of representing Great Britain when he was a junior (U20) and also in the U23 Age group at both cross country and track in the European Championships.

"To do this is a real achievement with lots of hard work, which consisted of running 90 to 100 miles per week at altitude in Font Romeu in the Pyrenees prior to Liverpool."

The European Championships will air on the BBC Red Button or on the iPlayer on Sunday December 10.