TRIATHLON: A pair of Wyre Forest athletes have swum, cycled and run their way to join the celebrated Brownlee brothers at the 2014 World Triathlon Championships, in Edmonton, next month.

Kimberley Bills, a company director from Bewdley, will be making her international debut alongside Stourport doctor, and triathlon stalwart, Rachel Ward in the 55 and over age-group event in Canada, on Monday, September 1.

For Ward, it will be her fourth World Championships after appearing at the Vancouver, Gold Coast and Beijing events, in which she finished in the top ten each time.

Bills secured her place in the final qualifying event at the Deva Triathlon, in Chester, two months ago.

She said: “It’s still hard for me to believe that I’ll be wearing a GB vest with my name on it in a World championship. I’m just so proud.”

Both athletes will be competing over the Olympic triathlon distance, which incorporates a 1500m swim, 40 km bike ride and 10km run.

Joining them in the Great Britain squad at Edmonton are Olympic and Commonwealth superstars Alistair Brownlee and his younger brother Jonathan.

As well as the best triathletes in the word competing in Canada, the tournament sees a host of gifted amateurs test their mettle at the very highest level.