A father-son duo from Cumbria took part in the 2017 Biathle/Triathle World Championships.

Austin Friars School student James Dickson and his dad Simon both represented Great Britain as they joined athletes from around the world at the championships in Viveiro, Galicia, in the North-west coast of Spain.

James and dad Simon, from Wetheral, both qualified for the competition at another event in Manchester.

“He does triathlons. In the summer, James did some Biathle races. That’s a run, a swim and a run again,” James’ mum, Alison, said.

“He did one in Yorkshire. Then we looked and there was another left this summer in Salford, so I booked my husband in and they both did it, and they both qualified.

“I think they were both chuffed when they qualified at Salford and they got their GB shirts.”

Alison added: “When they said it’s in north Spain, we thought ‘we have to do it’. But we could only get there from London airports which made it a bit of a nightmare.”

Up against athletes from countries such as Egypt, Portugal and Spain, James finished in a creditable 10th.

“He’s very unassuming. He takes it all in his stride,” James’ mum said. “He got boxed in a bit at the start.

“There was a large start line. They usually start in heats. But there was no time to do heats in the end.”

Alison added: “The kids that went previously swapped shirts and swim caps, so James did that with one of the South African lads. It’s kind of like a mini Olympics, I suppose.

“We have been looking for where next year’s is and we saw it’s in Egypt.”

Meanwhile dad, Simon, came 17th in one of the Masters races.

James had originally been encouraged to get involved in the sport by dad, Alison said: “James started with Carlisle Triathlon when he was eight.

“He will be going up an age category [from Youth Category D, for Under-13s] next year, but he’s always liked the running part of the triathlon so that might suit him.”

James, 12, is also a keen skier and plays for Carlisle Rugby Club’s Under-13s.