The Lancashire Team for the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park, Nottingham on March 11 has been announced following the recent Lancashire and Northern Championship races at Blackburn's Witton Park.

County Champions Daniel Westgate of Burnley AC and Rachel Searson from Blackburn Harriers spearhead the challenge, but there is no place for Pendle's Laura Finucane, the Lancashire under 20 Champion, even though she underlined her recent good form by taking the bronze medal in the short race at the British University Cross Country Championship at Stirling on February 4.

She was omitted because the age groupings are different at the inter counties and she would have had to run the trial (the county race) as a senior to qualify as she reaches 20 in 2006.

Ironically under 17 club mate Sara Burns has been promoted to the under 20s because of a shortage of under 20 women. Northern silver medallist Sarah Willimott, and 2005 Northern Champion Pauline Powell have accepted invitations to compete in the senior race in an event that doubles as the World Championship Trial for the seniors and under 20s.

They are among 18 Blackburn Harriers chosen.

The team includes these local athletes: Senior Men: Rob Hope (Pudsey and Bramley), Ben Fish (BH), Tom Cornthwaite (BH) Junior (U20) Men: Ben Lindsay (P), Richard Stones (BH), Michael Smith (H), James Kevan (Horwich), Ben Rusius (BH), Paul Wadsworth (R) U17 Men: Curtis Pearce (BH), Adam Hurley (BH), Tom Melody (BH) Under 15 Boys: Robbie Schofield (H), Joe Kelly (R) U13 Boys: Daniel Westgate (B), Dominic Walton (R), Joseph Johnston (R), Ben McKenna (BH) Senior Women: Sarah Willimott (BH), Pauline Powell (BH), Katie Ingram (Horwich), Suzanne Budgett (Horwich), Maureen Laney (C) Junior (U20) Women: Emma Graham (BH), Katie Morris (BH), Nicola Barnes (H), Sara Parkinson (CH), Sara Burns (P) U17 Women: Danielle Walker (B), Anna Anderson (P), Alison Leonard (CH and BH), Rebecca Robinson (PHS), Carly Thompson (BH) U15 Girls: Rachel Searson (BH), Leigh Lennon (H), Holly Robinson (BH), Emma Flanagan (R) U13 Girls: Melissa Berry (PHS), Beckie Taylor (BH), Lucy Patry (BH).