ANDY BADDELEY was narrowly denied victory in the 1,500m at the Aviva British Grand Prix at Gateshead International Stadium.

The 27-year-old from West Kirby, who recently bowed out in the semi-finals of the World Championships, finished second to American Leonel Manzano in a time of 3:41.24. Baddeley kept himself in a favourable position throughout and produced a fine burst down the home straight but lost the sprint for the line as Manzano won in 3:41.10.

Liverpool Pembroke Sefton’s Michael Rimmer faded as he was fourth in a highly competitive men’s 800m.

Spaniard Eugenio Barrios was pushed out of the race at the bell but Rimmer stayed clear of trouble and with 200m to go he was second to Kenyan Geoffrey Rono.

However, American Nick Symmonds and emerging British talent Joe Thomas battled their way into contention on the home straight.

Symmonds won it in 1:47.30 with Rono second and Thomas third.

Rimmer was next home in 1:48.14.

KATE ANSON and Vicky Johnson won golds for Merseyside in the Northern Athletics Inter Counties Championships at Wigan. Anson took the under-15 girls high jump crown with 1.65m, while Johnson clinched the senior women’s hammer with 46.29m.

Four St Helens Sutton athletes represented Merseyside. John Ashcroft was third in the under-17 800m in 2.02.13 and Liane Bibby was third in the under-17 javelin (32.73m).

Patricia Spark recorded 8.94m for fifth in the shot, while Sophie Rigby was eighth in the rain soaked high jump competition with 1.45m.