A pupil from Stroud High School has become English Schools year 10 and 11 800m champion which qualifies her to represent England.

Annie Testar, 16, won Gloucestershire only English Schools track and field title which is compete by boys and girls across six school year groups at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham last weekend.

On Friday, July 13, Annie cruised through her heat finishing 2nd to the Yorkshire champion easing up in 2min 12 seconds.

A quick turn around saw her compete in the final early Saturday morning. Annie as planned placed herself in 4th place after 200m and all was going to plan when with 300m to go the favourite accelerated away from the pack, Annie was caught out a little but soon closed down the gap with her turn of speed to catch the leader as they entered the home straight Annie then made her move to take the victory.

Annie, a member of Stroud and District Athletics Club, also Annie won the English Indoor 800m title at the Sheffield English sports institute in March, and was the youngest finalist of eight in the English Under 20 800m Championship in Bedford last month.

Coach Chris Brown said: “we were confident going into last weekend and happy to be under the radar, Annie was training well and we both felt that Annie was strong enough if the race was fast and hard, plus she had the speed to finish off a slower tactical race.”

International selection are automatic in each event. So Annie was doubly please to win her first international vest and will now represent England in Scotland next weekend.