Last weekend two Sussex 400 metres runners were included in the England team in the match at Loughborough.

Tim Bayley, making his international outdoor debut, ran the opening leg in the 4x400 metres relay and from the outside lane did well to hand over in second place.

Taking the third leg in the same team was Nick Dawson, from Hastings, who has recently returned to competition after a year out through injury.

Running in the women's event, Gaby Howell, from Steyning, had the unenviable task of anchoring the England under-20 team. Taking over in second place she was caught by one of the star British 400 metres performers, Alison Curbishley, who was taking the final leg for the Scottish squad.

This weekend the Inter-counties championships are being held at Bedford on Sunday and Monday but Sussex will be going into the event without star athletes Mick Jones, Sean Baldock, Tim Bayley and Nick Dawson who will be in the Belgrave team for the European Club Cup Final.

Christian Linskey (Broadbridge Heath) and Leigh Walker (Crawley), who will be competing in the pole vault, are the only field eventers in the squad.

Alistair Gordon (Worthing) will contest the 200 metres, Gavin Stephens (Worthing), who arrived to contest the 400 metres at the County championships but felt a twinge when warming up, will be racing in the 400 metres.

County champions Martin Airey (Blackheath) and Patrick Davoren (Phoenix) will race in the 800 and 1,500 metres.

In the Women's events Lucy Webber, from Burgess Hill, is aiming to be back from America in time to pole vault and Nicky Gilding (Brighton & Hove) will contest both the long and triple jumps.