West Hatch High School student Joe Clark represented Essex in the Inter Counties Cross-Country championships in Birmingham last Saturday.

The 12-year-old runner, who lives in Woodford Green, finished 205th out of 411 runners and clocked a time of 12.03.

The Year 8 pupil is a member of Chingford’s Orion Harriers running club and had to complete several runs before being selected for the county team along with five other runners.

He said: “I was quite pleased with my result but I think I could have done a bit better.

“I ran a good time but I usually get about 11 minutes – it was such a big occasion and I think I got a bit nervous.”

Clark says he enjoys running because he likes being outside but the talented sportsman can’t train as much as he would like because he also plays right-back for Leyton Orient’s academy team.

The youngster will turn his attention back to athletics however, later this month when he runs at the National Schools Championship on March 23 where he hopes to finish in the top 20.