STEVIE Stockton will race on track in Great Britain colours for the first time after she was picked for the forthcoming SPAR European Team Championships.

The Vale Royal Athletics Club star heads to Sweden later this month to compete in the women’s 3,000m.

“It will be a great experience for her to compete against some of the best athletes from the continent,” said mentor Dame Kelly Holmes.

Crewe-born Stockton, 21, makes her international debut at senior level on track in Stockholm.

Her call-up is reward for a fine start to the summer season that includes a new personal best time over 3,000m – 9:08.36 – set at the Loughborough International.

She came close to repeating the trick, this time in a 1,500m race, at the British Milers’ Club (BMC) Grand Prix in Manchester last weekend too.

The University of Loughborough student has been part Holmes’ athlete education programme, On Camp With Kelly, since 2008.

“It’s great to see Stevie continuing her good form from the cross country season [she was among the first 40 finishers at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in March] and earning selection,” added the double Olympic champion.

Welsh 400m hurdler Dai Greene, who runs too in the 4x400m relay, has been named as team captain.

Britain placed second in the competition in Bergen last year, but will hope to be closer to winners Russia on this occasion after losing out there by 62.5 points.

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee said: “I am pleased to be able to name a strong team with a number of athletes having posted promising early-season performances.

“We’re looking forward to competing against nations such as Russia, France and Germany and vying for the top positions.”