A LEDBURY triathlete says he cannot wait to take part in next month's World Championships in Sardinia after representing Great Britain at the European Cross Triathlon Championships.

Leslie Dalley, 50, has only been competing in the sport for four years but finished in a very respectable fourth place in his age group.

"It was a very tough event", says Dalley, who received Halo Sports Foundation help this year, enabling him free access to gyms and swimming pools.

"I am very happy indeed that my hard work and training for the last twelve months has paid off.

"I am now really looking forward to representing Great Britain once again at the up and coming World Championships in Sardinia later in September."

The event in Schuchsee, Germany, consisted of a 1,750m lake swim, a 32km bike ride and a 10.7km run.

After an early thunderstorm on the morning of the race, the lake became very choppy for the opening swim.

Wet and muddy rock and root sections then met the triathletes during the bike ride, with Dalley's handling skills tested to the full.

But despite a difficult trail run to finish off the race, Dalley was delighted to cross the line in three hours 22 minutes.