MUM'S the word with an athletics club's chances of attracting their most famous protégée for the opening of a home track.
Halton Borough Council's £1.4 million all-weather facility is due for completion in December and as well as serving all the borough's schools it will be a base for Halton & Frodsham Harriers.
World champion marathon runner Paula Radcliffe was with the then Frod-sham Harriers as a youngster and chairman Peter Allen admits she would be the perfect guest for any unveiling.
However, the star athlete is expecting her first child at the beginning of January.
Construction of the track - on playing fields between Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Sports College and Wade Deacon High School in Widnes - is now under way.
Club chairman Peter Allen admitted: 'It would be great if we could persuade Paula to do the honours in opening the track.
'But being in a delicate condition, as she is at present, maybe she will be otherwise engaged at the time!
'But I will have words with her first coach and mentor George Bunner to see if he can put a good word in for us.'
The club is looking forward to having a new base - the facility, being 100% funded by Halton council, will have full track and field facilities, changing rooms and storage room equipment.
Allen added: 'The club is indeed looking forward to the fact that we will have an excellent all-weather site available for our use in Widnes.
'The present arrangements with the school did limit our training-session times and we do expect an influx of new applications for membership of the club when work on the track is completed.
'The facility won't belong to us but we will be seeking suitable hire arrangements with Halton Borough Leisure Services, the sports college and ourselves.
'Hopefully, providing there are suitable public services laid on at the track and health and safety issues are satisfactory then we will be able to stage our home matches there.'
