Olympic medallistsSteve Cram and Katharine Merry got together to launch ticket sales for the Aqua-Pura Commonwealth Trials - the first major event to be held in the new City of Manchester Stadium.

The pair have urged the North West public to back the meeting on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June which will see the cream of Britain's athletics talent battling for places in this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Merry said: "Every athlete wants to compete at the major championships, and especially when they are on home soil.

However, with the strength in depth of athletics in this country, very few of us can be sure of our places in the team so the Trials are always nail biting affairs.

Cram added: "The quality of the competition at the Trials will be excellent.

For example we have four world class English sprinters in Mark Lewis-Francis, Jason Gardener, Dwain Chambers and Darren Campbell all fighting for places, and one of them will have to miss out.

I am sure that the Manchester public will be in for a treat and I would encourage them not to miss out on what will be a great sporting weekend."

The Aqua-Pura Commonwealth Trials are the major selection vehicle for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

The first two English athletes in each event at the Trials will automatically earn a place in the English team for the Games.

Meanwhile Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish athletes will be looking to catch the eye of their own team managers.

TICKETS for the Aqua-Pura Commonwealth Trials at the City of Manchester Stadium on

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June 2002 can be purchased in one of two ways.

By Phone: on the 24-hour Ticketmaster hotline: 0870 444 4440 or online at www.ukathletics.net