Frank Tickner will today be looking to secure his place in the Great Britain team for the European Cross Country Championships for the third successive time.

The 25-year-old Somerset runner, who is a member of Wells City Harriers, has had a low-key start to the winter after a stress fracture in August.

But Tickner is now running into form and is confident that in today's trials race in Sefton Park, Liverpool, he can do enough to make the team for Brussels next month.

"If I can make the same sort of progress that I showed in the McCain Gateshead Challenge two weeks ago, when I finished third Brit, then I would be hoping to get an automatic spot," said Tickner.

"I ran a fairly passive race at Gateshead and I am looking to be more aggressive this weekend."

Older brother Ben will join him on the start line, and after a recent PB in the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, he will also be pushing for a top-10 finish.

Stroud athlete Tom Russell is hoping to secure a place in the GB Under-23 team at the same event.

"I have won my last two races (the Gwent League and the BMC Championships last weekend) and I feel there has been a marked improvement in my fitness over previous years," said 22-year-old Russell, who is a member of Bristol & West AC.

Another Gloucestershire runner with high hopes today is Emily Pidgeon. After a glittering career as a teenager, the 19-year-old is getting used to life as a student at Loughborough University and competing as a senior. She should have enough to make the Under-20 team, as should Exeter Harriers' Joanne Harvey.

The popular Brent Knoll 5.5 miles fell race, the final event in the Somerset Series, is held tomorrow from the BASC Sports Ground (11.30am).

For further information contact Brian Beale on 01934 732310 or log on to www.burnhamharriers.co.uk

The Bicton Blister 11 miles multi-terrain race will also be held tomorrow from the Bicton Arena, near Exmouth in east Devon. This year the organisers have added a shorter five-mile race, the Blister Lite, to complement the longer challenge. For entry details log on to the race website, at www.bictonblister.co.uk

The next Burnham 5k road race is scheduled for Thursday from Burnham-on-Sea swimming pool (7.30pm). Entries will be taken on the night and further details are available on the race website at www.bospool.com