AMBITIOUS pole-vaulter Mark Christie, who set a new record in this month's North-East Track and Field Championships, believes he is close to an even bigger clearance.

The 18-year-old Wearsider, who competes in the British League for Manchester club Sale Harriers, added one centimetre to the regional under-20 record when he reached a height of 4.51m.

But Christie was frustrated not to go higher after regularly clearing five metres in training - and when the bar fell at Shildon's Stadium 2000 he hurled his pole away in disgust, ripping a nearby officials tent. Now the talented teenager will get another chance to show what he can do against more challenging opposition when he competes in this weekend's Inter Counties Championships at Bedford.

Christie, whose personal-best is 4.70m said: "I've been clearing 5.10m in training and I'd hoped to go close to that in the North-East Championships. I know I've got a really good vault in me."

The North-East has decided to take only a small team to Bedford, choosing only those athletes who have achieved the entry standards.

Commonwealth Games and European Championships 400m relay gold medallist Jared Deacon has been chosen for the 400m hurdles, while Border's Craig Telford, who won the two sprint gold medals at Shildon competes in the 100m and 200m.

In the women's events triple North-East gold medallist Karen Johns, now with Gateshead Harriers, races over 800m, while 5,000m champion Claire Smallwood (Jarrow and Hebburn) competes in the 1500m.

The North-East team is - Men: 100m and 200m Craig Telford (Border); 800m Gavin Massingham (Sunderland); mile Michael Morris (Morpeth); 3000mSC Chris Sampson (Morpeth); 400mH J Deacon (South Shields); hammer Chris Walsh (Shaftsbury Barnet); high jump Ian Holliday (Sale) and Jerome GEOFFROY (Morpeth); pole vault Mark Christie (Sale).

Women: 800m Karen Johns (Gateshead); 1500m Claire Smallwood (Jarrow and Hebburn); long jump Elaine Smith (Sale) and Lucy Butler (Gateshead); pole vault Rachel Fairless (Middlesbrough).

l The multi-terrain Raby Castle 10K takes place tomorrow (11.15am). Details from Elizabeth Lamb (01833 638970).