THE two Southend Highs will be hoping to become the pride of England over the weekend when they compete in the World Schools’ Athletic Championships in Estonia.

Following their superb performances in last year’s English Schools Track and Field Cup the pair were selected to carry the hopes of the nation in Tallinn on Saturday and Sunday.

For the boys, based in Prittlewell Chase, it is a third successive World appearance, having finished sixth in Portugal in 2005 and performing as the best European team in Bordeaux in 2007. The event is staged every two years.

But for the Girls, from Southchurch Boulevard, it is the first after their debut victory in the English Schools intermediate event last year.

In Estonia, the six-strong teams from the two schools will find themselves up against star athletes from more than 60 nations.

The Boys have won 17 national titles in the past 10 years, while the Girls have collected eight junior prizes as well as last year’s intermediate crown, where competition was in Hull.

Making the trip for the girls are Echo junior sports personality of the year Georgia Atkins, Claire Mayo, Eleanor Evans, Natalie Woodhouse, Aimee Garnett and Mollie Short while Jerelle Mensah, Elliot Raghan, Tom Frith, Jon Staines, Robert Wood and Jon Kerridge are competing for the boys.

International ties were presented, along with tracksuits