CROSS country runner Matthew Harris has done the double having been picked for the Lancashire Inter-County and the Lancashire Schools’ cross country squads.

The Haslingden High School Year 12 student joined around 20 competitors from schools all over Lancashire at Blackburn’s Witton Park and was delighted to be selected for the team that will race in the English Schools’ Championship.

The 16-year-old regularly runs 400m, 800m and cross country and trains twice a week with Rossendale Harriers completing his own personal training sessions six times a week.

He said: “In a week I run about 45 miles. I plan my revision and studies for my AS levels and then fit the running in around it.

“Running gets me out of the house, it is a good feeling and it relieves my stress levels. It also keeps my head clear so I can do the work I have to.”

Matthew, from Newchurch, is studying A levels in French, biology, PE and psychology and he hopes to either be a PE teacher or a physiotherapist.

He has been running for Lancashire for a year and when he came in fourth in this year’s qualifiers he secured his place in the team for a second year. In the Lancashire Schools’ County Championships he was sixth with the top eight being picked for the team.

Now he is looking forward to March when he will compete in two events representing the county.