A WIRRAL athlete will represent her native Wales in the Commonwealth Games later this month.

Lucy Evans is taking time off from her day job as an events and marketing manager to run the 4 x 100m relay at the games in Glasgow, which start on July 23.

Involved in athletics from a very young age, Lucy started competing as a junior athlete at her local club in Ellesmere Port before moving on to renowned athletics club, Sale Harriers in Manchester.

Originally from North Wales, she won her first Welsh Vest at the age of 16 and has now represented Wales in events in countries such as Switzerland, Hungary, Belgium and Sweden in competitions including the European Grand Prix meetings and Commonwealth Youth Games.

Thrilled to be running in such a prestigious event, Lucy said: "The Commonwealth Games has been my target, it is the highest level at which I can represent Wales in sport.

"In April I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to compete in some track and field competitions in the USA, where I got my season off to a fantastic start.

"When I returned home I continued to compete - winning the 200m at both the recent Loughborough International and the Flanders Cup Lokeren Grand Prix meeting in Belgium.

”The most important competition, however, was the Welsh Athletics Championships & Commonwealth Games Trials, where I set a new personal best of 23.94 seconds over 200m, which resulted in my selection as a squad member for the Welsh 4 x 100m relay.

"I was initially shocked to get confirmation about this, but also very excited.

"I am now looking forward to training with the rest of the Welsh team in Portugal before travelling to the Games themselves."

Lucy works for SquareOne Training in Birkenhead. Managing director Lisa Johnson, is fully supportive of her employee's efforts.

She said: "Lucy is a much valued member of our team but we are delighted that she will be carrying on her ‘athletics’ work in another team, and leaving us even if only for a short while.

"This is a once in lifetime opportunity and we are very proud of her achievements – not only will she be representing Wales but we think she will also be carrying the flag for Wirral."