Young East Devon running Innes Fitzgerald has been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 2022 European Cross Country Championships in Turin, Italy, on Sunday, December 11.

It marks the first British Athletics selection for 16-year-old Innes, from Beer, who recently completed her GCSEs at Axe Valley Academy.

She has been chosen to compete in the Under 20s Women category having impressed at previous races and having been given the backing of Exeter running coach Gavin Pavey, who trained his wife and five-time Olympian Jo Pavey. 

Team leader Chris Jones said: "The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team have a great history at the European Cross Country Championships, and following another good autumn/winter season, and a competitive trial event on Saturday, we have been able to select a very strong team who will be pushing the best in Europe next month.

"It is great to see a number of experienced athletes earning their places on the team once again, and likewise, I am pleased that several athletes have achieved their first GB & NI vests. We are looking forward to seeing how the team performs in Italy."

Innes previously win the intermediate girls 3,000m race at the English Schools' Track & Feld Championships, setting a new championship record and placing her third in the UK Rankings for under 17 women this year.

She has been described as one to watch and is said to be tipped for sporting success.