ATHLETE Matthew Braybrooke will be representing Great Britain in two major events.

The 17-year-old has qualified for the under 20s age group in both the 2017 World and 2018 European Duathlon Championships at the first time of asking.

He will be travelling to Canada for the world event in August, while the Wilmslow High School sixth-form student is also training to qualify for the junior men's triathlon that features as part of the conclusion to the ITU World Triathlon Series in Rotterdam in September.

"I took up running to begin with, competing in the local ‘park run’ and several other local running races with the aim of improving my fitness," said Braybrooke, a member of Wilmslow Running Club and Knutsford Triathlon Club.

He progressed to winning the under 20s age group of the South Manchester Triathlon staged in Wilmslow last September, finishing 18th overall.

Braybrooke then worked hard throughout the winter with support from Wilmslow Running Club, Knutsford Triathlon Club and Inspire Cycle Coaching, a company set up by multi-national and world track champion Chris Pyatt.

His duathlon qualification successes come on the back of balancing training with his A level studies.

Form tutor Charlotte Sivner said: "Matthew has shown real commitment with his A level studies, his triathlon training and also completing his ‘Gold’ Duke of Edinburgh award . It’s a real life skill to achieve such a balance."

He is looking for additional financial support in pursuit of his sporting goals.

"Under 20s athletes receive little public funding, but I have gained the support of Wilmslow based media company ‘Purple Mountain Media’ and local solicitors Jon Mail Solicitors & Co Limited," he said.

Mail added: "We are keen to support this local athlete who has clearly worked so hard to realise his ambitions and values which we recognise in our business."