BLACKPOOL track athlete Shona Macpherson has been shortlisted for a major national award.

Shona, who lives in Marton, entered the British Gas Tomorrow's People awards - a competition to find the men and women who will lead the country in their chosen field into the next millennium.

Shona, an 18-year-old hurdler, is up against stiff competition in the Sport category but has already won through to the final shortlist of the Tomorrow's People competition.

She could win over £5,000 as well as the prestige which goes with being chosen as one of the experts of the future.

Shona is a 400 metre hurdler and is the junior Scottish champion.

She is currently ranked third in Britain in the under-20 age group, moving up from 14th the previous year.

North West area manager for British Gas, Julian Anderton, said: "We're running this award scheme because we take great pride in the expertise of our own staff and we are keep to promote that same dedication to excellence in other areas of life.

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