BOLTON Harriers' women's team have a minor handicap as they prepare for a national championships in 11 days time.

They do not have a pole vaulter!

And now the club is sending out an urgent appeal to any woman over the age of 16 to come and have a go.

So desperate are they that they are calling on any interested women to come down to the club either tomorrow night (Thursday) or next Tuesday at 7pm to try their hand and they will pick the best of the bunch for the team.

Hidden talent

So out there somewhere could be a willing lady who has never picked up a pole but fancies she could have a hidden talent and on Sunday week she could be travelling down to Bedford to compete against athletes from all over the country in the GRE Plate Finals.

Harriers spokesman Nigel Hall said: "Both the men's and women's teams have qualified for the finals but the women don't have anyone capable of competing in the pole vault.

"We want to strengthen our team before the final by holding trials for any women over the age of 16 who might like to have a go.

"We plan to have the equipment out at our training nights tomorrow and next Tuesday 17th and there will be a competition at our open meeting next Thursday when we will pick the best woman to represent us in the Plate Finals.