OXFORDSHIRE look set to boast a strong team as they take part in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead Heath, on Saturday.

For the first time in many years, the county is sending a full- strength junior team to the event, which acts as a stepping stone for many youngsters into the national and inter-counties races in the new year.

It's a positive sign for the county to be able to find enough quality junior runners to take part in this tough national event.

Team manager Dominic Swords said: "As this is the first entry in this competition for so long, we are simply looking to build a platform for the future.

"As we see our runners develop, we want to put Oxfordshire on the map and encourage our youngsters through the ranks of the sport."

Besides the junior races for under 13 and 15 boys and under 13 and 15 girls, Oxon will also enter men's and women's teams at under 17 level, under 23 men and senior men and women.