CATHERINE Riley has just one ambition for her international debut - to remain the British number one.

The Clitheroe Grammar School pupil earned a shock call up for the Great Britain and Ireland under 20s team to face Italy, Germany and France in Paris tomorrow.

And Catherine will be competing against girls nearly three years her own age after a sensational AAAs indoor victory caught the eye of selectors last weekend.

The 16-year-old has also been selected for a week-long training camp in Florida in March and is hopeful of making the under 18 squad for another international in July. But Catherine, who lives in Fence, was at a loss to explain her personal best over 800m indoor at Birmingham, beating Scottish champion Joanna Ross on the final bend.

She said: "I think I just got up feeling good that morning. I really do not have any plans for the international race and it's good that there is no pressure.

"I'm not really expecting anything but I do want to make sure that I beat Joanna again.

"I do not want to be number two!"

Catherine runs for the Park High School Club, Colne, under coach Michael Hindle.

He said: "I knew she was building up to something special but I did not really expect that. She works hard at her running but does not go over the top by a long way. And to think she nearly stopped running when she was 12!"

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