ADAM Hickey has today been confirmed in the Great Britain squad for the European Cross-Country Championships in Bulgaria in 12 days time.

The Southend AC athlete will be part of the six-strong senior men's team racing in the championships in Samkov and will join Canvey's Jessica Judd in the GB squad after she confirmed her place in the under-20 women's team by winning the trial race in Liverpool on Saturday.

Hickey has had a nervous few days after not guaranteeing his own selection at the trials where he finished eighth overall but the sixth senior man in a race that included the under-23 age group.

But the selectors gave him the nod after a meeting on Monday which means Hickey will be racing in his second consecutive European Cross-Country Championships.

He said: "It was a nervous few days waiting to find out after Saturday but I'm really happy.

"I would have liked to have got the automatic spot on Saturday but I ran as hard as I could. I couldn't have done anymore.

"I couldn't really sleep that well after so it was great to hear the news."

In last year's championships in Belgrade, Hickey finished 25th overall and helped the Britain team to bronze team medals.

For the full interview with Hickey, see Friday's Echo athletics section.