OWEN MILLER says he is targeting a place on the podium as he prepares to make his Great Britain debut at the World Para Athletics Championships.

The Dunfermline runner, who competes over 1500 metres in the T20 classification for athletes with learning or intellectual impairments, has travelled to Dubai for the competition, which begins today (Thursday).

Former Woodmill High School pupil Miller, who is a member of Disability Sport Fife (DSF) and Fife AC, has enjoyed a successful year that has included becoming second on the all-time British T20 list, and setting a new personal best of 3:56.32.

Despite having won 800m gold and 1500m bronze at the 2012 INAS (International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability) European Championships, and gold and silver in the same events at the 2016 event, Miller believes this will be the biggest meet of his career so far.

Speaking to British Athletics' website, Miller said: "The championships is a big step for me because I've never done a big event like this before so it will help me get more confidence ahead of more major competitions.

"I'm a mixture of excited and nervous for the championships but I am looking forward to it.

"I've put all the hard work into training and my aim is to come away with a medal, and that's what I hope I can do. This is part of the lead-up to Tokyo (Paralympic Games, 2020) and this to me is a really good opportunity to get a medal for the British team.

"This has been all that 2019 has built towards and I'm looking forward to seeing all the hard work pay off at the worlds when I'm on the track."

Miller, whose event will take place next Thursday on the penultimate day of the championships, will be cheered on at home by those at DSF, whose president, Richard Brickley, commented: "Owen has had a very successful career as an international athlete competing in INAS European and World championships, but being part of a WPA (World Para Athletics) event has so far eluded him.

"He is a proud custodian of INAS medals of different colours, won indoors and out over 800m and 1500m, but he has never given up hope of one day wearing a full GB vest.

"Owen has been a massive influence on the Disability Sport Fife cross-country and middle distance programme and he has always been a superb role-model for emerging young athletes.

"Owen has dominated Scottish T20 middle distance running for a decade and Dubai will be an opportunity for him to bring his learning of the past two years and before to the international stage of para athletics.

"All of us in Fife and beyond congratulate Owen on his selection and wish him well."