Sutton-based sprint hurdler Andy Turner believes he is in the form of his life ahead of this weekend’s Aviva World Trials and UK Championships in Birmingham.

He is targeting his fourth successive title, which would book his place in Britain’s team for next month’s IAAF World Championships in Berlin, even though he controversially lost his UK Athletics funding late last year.

“Without a doubt it’s my best start to an outdoor season,” said the 28-year-old, whose season-best 13.30, set in Hengelo last month, was just three hundredths of a second outside the PB he set at the World Championships in Osaka two years ago.

“I know it’s there. It is just a case of having 10 good hurdles.

“In all my races so far, I can remember a hurdle that has not gone quite right so, if everything goes as it should, I can smash my personal best.”

The 28-year-old was narrowly beaten in the Bislett Games in Oslo last Friday, clocking 13.44, just three-hundredths of a seconds behind American Antwon Hicks.

In recording victory at the European Team Championships in Portugal last month, Turner beat former world champion Ladji Doucoure and Poland’s Olympic finalist Artur Noga to secure maximum points for the British team.

“So far, I have been pretty much injury free,” added Turner.

“I had a niggle with my back a couple of weeks ago but, other than that, I have had a clean bill of health and I think that’s the reason I’m running well.

“The event in Birmingham is very important to me, obviou- sly to secure my place in the GB team, but it would be nice to have another national title under my belt, too.”

Turner went out in the semi-finals of the worlds two years ago and at the Beijing Olympics last summer, but insists he is capable of performing on the big stage.

“I want to make the final – that is the first target,” he added.

“It’s not going to be easy, but I know I am in the sort of shape where I can do that.

“Then, I just have to give it my best and, hopefully, that will be good enough for a top-three finish.

“I am not happy with just getting to the final.

“I want to do something while I’m there.

“Anything can happen in hurdles. People can fall over, have a bad race, or run the race of their life – and I’m hoping that’s what happens to me.

“I know I am in shape for a personal best.”