CHARD athlete Thomas Priest has successfully qualified to compete in the Duathlon European Championships in Cologne, Germany.

The race, which takes place on May 31, will see Thomas compete against some of Europe’s best athletes in a 1000m swim and 5km run. It will also give him the opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, in August.

Thomas, 27, who lives in Chard and went to Wadham School, in Crewkerne, and Yeovil College, is a sports lecturer at Weymouth College.

He has committed many hours to training since a young age and has experienced some sporting success before. He was the Under-18s Junior British Champion at 500m butterfly, has run the London and Edinburgh Marathons in under three-and-a-half hours and competed in a half-marathon in Budapest.

He also enjoys competing in many local races and runs with both Crewkerne and Chard running club.