LEIGH Lennon won the 800m at the Aviva England Under-23 & Under-20 Championships in Bedford to guarantee selection for the world Junior Championships to in Canada next month.

And Lennon defeated the UK’s top two under-20s Jenny Tan and Sarah Kelly, both coached by Liz McColgan, in the process.

She said: “I felt really strong even in the wind. I am so pleased to win my first National title and am looking forward to doing my country proud in Canada.”

Leigh now plans to run at the senior national championships which double as the European Trials, then she will travel with her coach Don Lennon to Belgium or Holland later in the week to race girls of her junior standard.

Another athlete from Rishton also competed in the 100m, as Blackburn Harrier Sam Yates made it through to the final as the fastest loser.

Sam, the youngest in the final, ran a great race to finish in a personal best of 1:52.08 and move up to 9th in the British Junior rankings in his first year as an U20.

Fellow Blackburn Harrier Sophie Hitchon continued her great season, winning the U20 hammer, and she will also be on the plane to Canada.