YOUNG runner Dyllan Pickavance-Clarke has her sights firmly set on Olympic glory after winning her latest title.

And members of her club, the Blackhill Bounders, in Derwentside, hope her victory in the Great North Winter Run will inspire other young athletes to join.

Dyllan, of Dipton, County Durham, won the junior girls section of the 1,500m cross country event in 5 minutes 21 seconds, coming sixth overall.

The 11-year-old said: "I am delighted. I have been running since the age of eight and my heroine is Paula Radcliffe.

"My aim is to one day run in the Olympics."

Dyllan, who goes to school at St Bede's RC School, in Lanchester, has won the junior section of London Cross Country and an 800m race in Wales, while representing County Durham.

Her mother, Allyson, a spokesperson for the Blackhill Bounders, said: "The club has gone been through a rocky time since the retirement of coach Harry Bartrope, who founded the club in 1994.

"But it is now firmly back on track and we are hoping Dyllan's success and that of others will inspire more young people to join the club."

The club has about 30 members, six of whom are distance runners.

Its other leading lights are Philip Brown, 14, of Villa Real, Consett, who is national discus champion for the under-15s; Tina Breen, 11, the national shot-put champion for under-13s and Emma Wood, 16, who is North-East sprinting champion and represents Durham County English schools.

The club meets at 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Blackfyne School in Consett.

Anybody who is interested in joining can contact Allyson on 07779 83562.