TOM Lancashire is hoping that athletics life might begin at 30.

After battles with injury and illness, the 2008 Olympian has enjoyed a long spell off the treatment table.

The Bolton Harrier and Athletic Club member was happy to progress through a difficult heat at the Sainsbury's British Championships in Birmingham and finished sixth in the 1500m final in a time of 3:51.78.

"It's been nice to get back racing but I wanted to win so I can't be happy," said Lancashire, speaking at the event, a partnership with British Athletics that builds on Sainsbury’s support for the 2012 Paralympics and recognises that sport can unite and inspire children of all ages.

"It was a bit of a messy race which I expected and I gambled on my position and hung off and you can't give those guys a head start in a race like that.

"I left myself too much to do so I'm kicking myself a bit now. I need to go back and work hard."

However, Lancashire does have reason to be more optimistic about the future - if he can stay injury free.

Alongside coach Steve Vernon he has now committed to the 1500m, after running the 5000m at last year's national championships.

"This year I have had my most consistent block of training for quite some time but that's coming off the back of a few years struggling with injury," he added.

"It's all a bit of a work in progress at the moment and I'm not quite where I want to be but I am starting to feel like my old self again.

"I had an achilles problem that I tried to manage for a season and then that didn't work so I had to have surgery so that was another season.

"Everyone always wants to be going faster than they are and I feel like every race that I have done I have improved.

"I still feel like there is a lot more that I can do, I have a strong base at the moment and I've committed to the 1500m now so I feel confident."

n Sainsbury's is a proud partner of British Athletics. The partnership reflects Sainsbury's wider commitment to inspiring healthy lifestyles for all, and complements grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and the Sainsbury's School Games. www.sainsburys.co.uk