A 16-YEAR-OLD Blackburn lad has swapped the rugby scrum for the running track - and Jamie Jordan is now looking forward to representing his country at an international event.

A prop forward, Jamie had been a rugby enthusiast since the age of seven, representing Blackburn, and winning the Lancashire Rugby Championship.

But at the end of last season, he took up an offer to join Blackburn Harriers and his running career has come on leaps and bounds since then.

So much so that the St Bede's RC High School pupil is now looking forward to representing Great Britain in the International Catholic Student Games in Hungary next month.

His dad, Paul, said: "He fell in love with running straight away and he's done very well. To be picked for his country after such a short time is excellent, the whole family is really proud of him."

Jamie's achievements so far make impressive reading. He has represented Blackburn and Lancashire; been Blackburn schools' cross country and 1500m champion; finished third in the Lancashire school' cross country championship and third in the 800m.

He also competed in the junior section of the London marathon earlier this year.

And Paul added: "He's absolutely buzzing. We haven't put too much pressure on him, but we can see that he's really looking forward to it."

This year the British CSSF team is competing in athletics, swimming, football and girls' volleyball.