LUKE Gunn believes he is in the shape of his life as he heads for the European Team Championships in Bergen, Norway, this weekend.

Gunn will be winning his first senior Great Britain vest when he lines up for the 3000m steeplechase – the last event before the relays, late on Sunday afternoon, at the two-day event.

The 25-year-old Derby athlete has dipped under the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard for his event twice this season.

And he has also knocked a big four seconds off his personal best for 1500m, a run that he says left him "ecstatic."

Gunn was back home ahead of the European Team Championships after enjoying a five-week training stint in the United States.

And he was over the moon to be selected for Britain at senior level for the first time.

"I am delighted to be picking up my first senior Great Britain vest, even if it does feel a couple of years later than expected," he said.

"I am feeling in very good shape, probably my best ever.

"I ran my fastest-ever opening steeplechase of the season – in eight minutes 37 seconds – in May, out in Stanford, California.

"That was after my first stint at altitude, which it appears I'm reaping the benefits from at the moment.

"After returning from my five-week training period in America, I have been putting the final touches to my summer programme.

"I was fortunate enough to get the chance to race in Hengelo, in Holland, three weeks ago and I again posted a season's best in the steeplechase of 8.35.1.

"When you consider that the Commonwealth Games standard for England is 8.39, that means I have gone under it at my first two attempts this season.

"So it looks as if selection for Delhi is well on course."

And the good news kept on coming for Gunn when he took on a 1500m race in search of some speed work.

"I decided to step down for some speed work and ran a massive lifetime best in the 1500m of 3.41.9," he said.

"My previous best was 3.45.1 so, needless to say, I was quite ecstatic about the result.

"You simply shouldn't be knocking off that many seconds when you're 25 – and especially not in your first try of the year at the distance!"

Gunn, who remains with Derby AC and has always shunned opportunities to move to bigger athletics clubs, feels the European team event this weekend is a golden opportunity to step up his international career.

It also brings with it his next target.

"This weekend is a great opportunity to showcase my form and really mix it with the best in Europe," he said.

"I hope I can finally kick my senior international career off with a bang.

"The B standard for the European Championships in Barcelona in July is 8.33.5, so that's my next minimal goal.

"But, more than anything, I am looking to get out there, be competitive and come away with a positive result to set up the rest of the season."

Also competing for Great Britain in the team championships is shot putter Rebecca Peake, from Kilburn, who is now based in Loughborough and competes for Sale Harriers.

Peake goes into the event having started 2010 by throwing 16.48 metres indoors, within seven centimetres of her personal best, which was achieved at the start of last season.