A RECORD 11 North-East athletes have been chosen to represent England in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country Championships at Stormont Park, Belfast, on November 10.

Making their international debuts are Jarrow and Hebburn's former North-East Harrier League champion Claire Simpson, who will compete in the over-35 race, and over-55s Alison Cummins (North Shields Polytechnic) and Lynn Valentine (Sunderland Strollers), with Low Fell's Jon Archer making his bow in the over-35 event and Brian Hetherington (Wallsend) and Keith Smith (Tyne Bridger) in the over-45 race.

Othes selected are: M454 Rob Hand (Durham City) and Guy Bracken (North Shields Poly), M60 Dave Littlemore (Elswick), M70 W Ryder (Morpeth), W65 Christine Lee (Elswick).

Eight of the region's veterans have been named as reserves - Paul Hilton (Tyne Bridge), Tommy Brannon (NSP), Richard Parker (Tynedale), Harry Matthews (Elswick), Heather Robinson (Chester-le-Street), Heather Christopher (Blyth), Steph Scott (Tynedale) and Sue Phillips (Darlington).

n Some entrants in tomorrow's sell-out 18th Fruitbowl Gibside Trail race face a mile-long hike before the event.

With the National Trust undertaking extension work car parking on site is limited to ticket-holders only and - for this year only - other vehicles must be left in the nearby village of Rowlands Gill with runners advised to give themselves plenty of time to reach the start by 10am.

Athletes are urged to ease the parking problem by car sharing - and are reminded that no entries will be accepted .

Last year's winners, Morpeth Harriers Graeme Taylor and Jane Hodgson are not defending their titles.