A YOUNG rower from Stockton has been selected to compete for Great Britain in next month's Youth Olympic regatta in Australia.

Chris Boddy, 19, has been following a stringent training programme at Yarm School, where he is completing a year of work experience as a gap year assistant before he heads off to Durham University, in September.

As he trained before heading off to Sydney, he said: "I'm really excited about this fantastic opportunity to represent Great Britain.

"I went to the trials in an optimistic frame of mind, but when I heard I had been selected for the GB team, it was like a dream come true.

"Having the chance to compete at such a high level is a great experience, and reward for all the hours of training I have done."

Chris is not the only one to have benefited from the guidance of North-East junior rowing coach of the year Andy Guest, director of sport at Yarm School.

Last week, 15-year-old Rachel Gamble-Flint, from Darlington, won first place in her age group at the National Indoor Rowing Championships, in Birmingham, smashing the existing British record by 28 metres.