A TEENAGE cross country runner has been chosen to represent England in Saturday's British schools' championship.
Andrew Coffer, 15, of Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street, will compete in Ayr, Scotland, against teams from Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
The Chester-le-Street Harriers runner beat competition from more than 350 hopefuls for a place in the national squad.
He trains during lunchtime and sometimes before classes at The Hermitage School, Chester-le-Street, as well as preparing to take ten GCSEs.
Andrew said: "I feel happy about it and hopefully I will do well. I have always wanted to run for England. I want to carry on running and I would like to get in the Great Britain team one day."
He already represents his school and the county and has run for the North-East in regional competitions.
Head of PE at The Hermitage, Vicky Firth, said he was a very dedicated runner and had been helped by his Harriers' coach, John Tinkler.
Ms Firth said: "We are incredibly proud of him and he is a great role model for younger students."
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