SEVENTY-three-year-old Jim Rhodes got a round of applause when he showed Radcliffe AC clubmates the England vest he had won in 1964.

He had been awarded his England vest when he ran in the cross country event of the Sir Sefton Brancker Challenge Cup at Alsager, Crewe.

He was racing as part of an England Select Team of five runners against teams from the Army, RAF, Royal Navy, a National Police Team, National Fire Service Team and Civil Service Team. Representing the North he came sixth overall and the England team were second behind the army competitors.

The events, which still continue today, were named after the distinguished Air-Vice Marshall who died in an airship disaster in 1930.

Jim, who had taken the vest to a Monday night club, had forgotten about the vest but was delighted to find it still fitted him after 50 years.

Last year, Jim was second vet-70 in the Central Lancs Grand Prix series of events which involved runners from 10 clubs competing in various age groups. Radcliffe’s other 70 plus runner Tom West took first place.