GRAPPENHALL runner Nick Jones led England to cross country success on Saturday despite almost having to give up running altogether.

Jones, who runs for Warrington Athletics Club, was selected by England Athletics for their Vet-40 Masters team to take part in the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country.

He finished fourth in the event at Glasgow’s Tollcross Park as England took overall gold in the event.

His first international call-up comes despite suffering from the chronic bowel condition ulcerative colitis and an auto-immune liver disease called PSC.

Jones was forced to stop running for a while and six years ago, he feared me may have to give up the sport for good but says he is keeping the illness under control.

“I was delighted to have been selected for my country – it means so much for me,” he said.

“Colitis is not ideal for a runner and it can play up, but I try to control it as best I can.

“Everyone has something to deal with, like injuries or illness and I have this to deal with.”