Blue Peter star on right track

Simon Thomas has been helped by Darren Campbell

A Blue Peter presenter is heading for the fast lane in Birmingham - as he lines up at a top athletics event.

Simon Thomas will be on the start line in the 60m event at the Norwich Union Grand Prix which is being held at the National Indoor Arena on 22 and 23 February.

Thomas has been training for the event under the watchful eye of Olympic champion Linford Christie and Commonwealth Games champion Darren Campbell.

He was in Birmingham on Thursday to step up his training programme, and he admitted that he was "nervous but excited" about his track date.

"My ambition is to still be in the same camera shot at the end when the winner finishes," he said.

Sprint ace Campbell advised his star pupil to try not to get too tense.

"The thing about sprinting is that it's all about relaxation," he said.