OKEHAMPTON College's sporting superstar David Dawson scooped a bronze medal at a national event last weekend — an occasion which also attracted international track and field stars and the Duke of York.

Super shot-putter David took third place at the English Schools Athletics Championships held in the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, with a magnificent throw of 16 metres 19 centimetres.

And the 16-year-old's efforts at the championships caught the eye of professional coach Dave Edgecombe, who has offered to train David each week at his club, Exeter Harriers.

David's proud mother, Carol Harfleet, said: 'For the last two years he has produced sixth places, but he won himself the bronze medal this time.

'He actually wasn't very pleased, but when you think of all the pressure, to produce a medal at such a big event is unbelievable — I'm dead chuffed with him!'

She hoped professional coaching would make a big difference to David, but said it was 'fantastic' he had been so successful without the help of an experienced coach.

David, who has just finished his GCSE's at Okehampton College, hopes to enter the sixth form next year to work for a combined GNVQ III qualification. In the meantime, his next big event is the Under 17 shot-put competition at the Three A's Championships on July 30, also held in Sheffield.