A SPORTING duo who have achieved exceptional success within the field of athletics are now on track to secure academic excellence as they complete their A Level studies at Bury College.

Mercedes Mercer, 17, and Katie Oakley, 18, both run for Bolton United Harrier, a running club which has led the girls to claim several regional and national running awards.

Mercedes started running at 13-years-old and was winner of the under 20s Greater Manchester Champion 2015 title.

The former Ladybridge High School pupil is now studying A Level maths, chemistry and PE and has now decided to pursue a career of chemical science and engineering.

"I feel that Bury College has prepared me for a good career once I complete my studies," she said. "I really enjoyed the guest speaker from The University of Manchester as it gave me an insight into what university would be like and the different careers that are available to me."

Katie, a former Philips High School pupil who started running at just seven-years-old was crowned the under 17 Greater Manchester Champion in 2014 and has been hand-selected for the Mountain and Fell England Training Squad.

She is completing A Levels in PE, biology and sociology and believes that her A Levels have helped her with her running career.

"I have really enjoyed my time at Bury College," she said. "It is a really friendly place and I have had a lot of support from my tutors with how to manage my workload and my running.

She added, "My A Level in PE has helped me with my training as I have learnt about the different training methods I should be using."

For more information about A Levels at Bury College please visit www.burycollege.ac.uk