Greg Rutherford builds long jump pit in back garden

The British back garden. Barbecues, creosoted fences, decking, petunias, long jump pit... long jump pit?

While some prepared for the summer by laying new lawns, Olympic champion Greg Rutherford decided to lay a long jump runway and pit.

The 28-year-old from Milton Keynes had help from his father to build the strip next to his house, which he will use to train on before August's World Championships in Beijing.

"I'll use it for my run-ups and any short sprinting because it's 52 metres long," said Rutherford, who won the British Championships long jump title at the weekend.

"I can put decent 50-metre sprints down. It'll be a good training base. I've already got the gym, now I've got the track.

"It started off as a bit of a dream, now it's becoming reality. I've found with the gym I can go and work at half 10 at night.

"If you don't feel great at six, you can push it back. That's the massive benefit of having it at home. I realise it's a huge luxury but if that's what is going to help me become world and Olympic champion it's a worthwhile investment."