Lewis-Francis hands relay team top marks

Lewis-Francis and Marlon Devonish, who were part of the 2004 Olympic gold medal-winning team alongside Jason Gardener and Darren Camp bell, are joined by Christian Malcolm, Craig Pickering, Tyrone Edgar and 19-year-old European Juniors 200m champion Alex Nelson.

Great Britain landed bronze at the last World Champion ships in Helsinki two years ago and will look to kick-start their campaign this time around in today's heat to secure a place in tomorrow's final.

"We have got every medal apart from this one. It is going to be a challenge but as a whole we have got one of the best relay teams,”said Lewis-Francis.

nCity of Sheffield athletes Amy Hill and Katie Sockett are in the Northern women’s team for the Inter Area Under-20 match at Hendon on Sunday.

Hill, who won the shot for Yorkshire in last week’s Inter County match, competes in that event for the North whilst Sockett is named for the 400 metres hurdles. Rotherham middle distance runner Klachen Cheshire does the 1500 metres.

In the men’s team Rhys Searles (Dearnside and City of Sheffield) competes in the pole vault and Steven Garrett (City of Sheffield) is named for the 400 metres hurdles.

Rotherham are in the Northern League play-off match at Wavertree, Liverpool, tomorrow.. They were impressive winners of Division 2EC winning three of the four league matches. Boston, runners up, are also in the play-off.