A SOUTH View teenager has played a key role at two huge events which have had the eyes of the sporting world on them.

Anne Flitcroft has been field official at both the World Para Athletics Championships and the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Championships held at the London Stadium.

The games have been graced by the likes of Usain Bolt, Mo Farah and Jonnie Peacock though Anne's role has been on the field side of events, rather than the track.

Her job as a field official involves doing anything from measuring the distances of jumps or throws of the hammer, discuss, javelin or shot put, judging whether the attempt is legal, or picking the discus out of the now-famous little vans which collect the object.

The 18-year-old has thoroughly enjoyed her time at the world championship events. She said: "The atmosphere in the stadium is amazing and being involved is a wonderful experience, and I really enjoy being able to watch events when not 'on duty'."

The Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete got involved in officiating when competing in athletics at a junior level and she was selected to take part after applying last summer.

She was chosen as a young official as part of the Olympic Legacy programme, with the need to bring new people into the sport to meet its growth.

She added: "Being selected as a young official gives experience of higher level meetings and is overall a great opportunity."

The working days for officials at the events can last quite a period of time.

Anne said: "Both the Paras and the Worlds can be long days with early starts if there's a morning sessions, and possibly supervising practise sessions, finishing about 10pm on an evening session - though not usually all three on one day though.

"It's really fun being involved, and I get to work with lots of people I already know and other officials from all over Britain, all of them being really friendly and nice."

Because of the workload, and the focused preparations of the elite athletes, there has not been the opportunity to meet some of the stars.

She added: "As officials we do not really have a lot of time to mix with the athletes and are not supposed to bother them when they are preparing for their events so I haven't met any of the athletes!"