A DARWEN athlete has been selected to join a London Marathon 'superteam'.

Royal Marine Corporal Brian Cole, 32, and five other runners have been asked to make up Nike's exclusive 'Team Bowerman'.

He will also join international sports stars such as golf great Tiger Woods, basketball's Michael Jordan and Brazilian soccer stars Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho, who are all sponsored by Nike.

The Team Bowerman will benefit from exclusive training camps, professional coaching, motion analysis and best of all, advice and motivation from reigning women's champion Paula Radcliffe.

Brian's adventure kicks off this weekend with a trip to Athens for an intensive training weekend.

As well as regular training support and advice right, each participant will be kitted out with the latest Nike Bowerman running gear.

Brian, of Woodville Terrace, Darwen, has already run six marathons and holds a personal best of 2hrs 32 min. He is also a regular fell runner and his greatest running achievement is completing a 100km (62 miles) race in Holland in 7hrs 10mins.

He represents Great Britain in the 100km running team and is coached by England coach Norman Wilson.

He said: "I do a lot of running and I just saw the advert in a running magazine. When someone rang me to tell me I'd got in the team I thought it was a joke at first but I am really chuffed."