SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD student Mark Richardson, from Woodham, recently made his debut for Great Britain in the World Tour Biathle Series in Marina di Grosseto, near Rome.

The event was a tri-nation competition with British athletes up against competitors from Germany and Italy.

Mark, who has just taken his AS Level exams in biology, geography, general studies, history and maths at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, finished sixth overall in a field of 25 and was second in the under-18 category after a strong swim and a good second run.

The event comprised a 1500m beach run, then a 200m sea swim, followed by another 1500m run on the sand.

Temperatures soared to 35C, making the event even tougher, as did the abundance of jellyfish.

Mark said: "I'm really pleased with this result, given the tough conditions.

"It was a great experience for me and it was made possible for me by the sponsorship of Sedgefield 75 Swimming, Mrs Wilkinson, Mrs Howe and an anonymous donor. I'm grateful for their generosity."

He trains five or six times a week with Sedgefield 75 Swimming Club and Newton Aycliffe Athletics Club.