RISING star Stevie Stockton has set her sights on earning the right to race at the World Cross Country Championships at a trial this weekend.

The Vale Royal Athletics Club star missed out on a place in the Great Britain team for the European event before Christmas, making her doubly determined to impress at Birmingham’s Cofton Park.

She faces stiff competition though.

Reigning European champion Charlotte Purdue has been in dominant form this winter while defending champion Freya Murray is returning to top form too following a spell out injured.

Stockton, 21, finished runner-up to Purdue at the BUCS Cross Country Championship in February, when she ran for the University of Loughborough.

The first three eligible junior and senior athletes in the trial races will be selected to represent Great Britain, subject to them meeting the set criteria, with the potential for a further three to be selected up to a maximum of six.

Tomorrow’s trials are part of the annual UK CAU Inter-Counties Championships, with more than 30 Vale Royal AC members due to compete in Cheshire colours across ten age classes.

Leading the way will be Megan Huxley in the U17s girls class, who is in high spirits after finishing fourth at the English national championships.

The Middlewich-based teenager was crowned regional champion for the first time in January too.

She tests herself against Jessica Judd, victor 12 months ago, an athlete who has not finished outside the top two in any race this year.

Alice Burgin (Bedfordshire) is another in good form.

Vale Royal’s other county champions Andrew Clews (U20s men) and Jessica Parsons (U15s girls) front Cheshire’s challenge in their respective age groups too.

Live television coverage of the UK CAU Inter-Counties Championships, incorporating the McCain UK Cross Challenge final and World Cross trials is on Sky Sports 3 from 11.00am.