STEVIE Stockton has vowed to make the most of her senior track debut in Great Britain colours at the SPAR European Team Championships this weekend.

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

“I think I’ll be nervous on the start line,” she said.

“I’ve been told that the races can be a bit crazy as they start off slow before pace is suddenly injected to leave you racing a fast 400m at the end.

“I’ll try not to let that happen as I like to run true races and not leave everything for the last lap.”

Crewe-born Stockton, 21, heads to Stockholm in fine form.

She set a new personal best time over 3,000m – 9:08.36 – at the Loughborough International before almost repeating the trick in a 1,500m race at the British Milers’ Club (BMC) Grand Prix in Manchester earlier this month.

Now she steps up to take on the best in Europe.

“It’s an honour to get the chance to run for my country,” added the University of Loughborough student.

“It’s nice to know that all of the hard work I put into training over the winter is paying off; I’m dedicated to my running and do everything I can to improve.”

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.

Stockton races on Saturday afternoon.

She added: “It’s a bit scary also something I’ll relish and learn from in order to make the team again in the future.”

Mentor Dame Kelly Holmes, who picked Stockton for her athlete education programme On CampWith Kelly in 2008, has tipped her protégé to shine.

“It’s great to see Stevie continue her good form from the cross country season [Stockton was among the first 40 finishers at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships] to earn selection,” she said.

“It will be a great experience for her to compete against some of the best athletes from the continent.”