Lawrence Clarke declared himself honoured to be captaining Great Britain at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Prague this weekend, writes Stuart Weir.

The 24-year-old, from Christmas Common, near Watlington, heads a 31-strong squad in the Czech Republic.

Clarke competes in the 60m hurdles today and is looking forward to leading the team.

He said: “It is a great privilege. I am surrounded by athletes who have achieved a lot more than I have.”

Clarke continued: “With 31 athletes in the team under 25, age-wise I am in the middle.

“Perhaps that is why Neil Black (British Athletics performance director) picked me.

“We have a great team and it is an opportunity for a number of younger athletes to step up.”

Clarke came second at the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on February 21.

He could face tough competition from Frenchmen Pascal Martinot-Lagarde and Dimitri Bascou today for the top step on the rostrum.

Clarke added: “If I can put them under pressure, the hurdles are my best ally.”